Title: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: knetter on January 04, 2008, 02:06:55 pm
:(
Just announced by the ASO:
Just announced by the ASO:
Quote
Official statement ASO: "After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."
Title: Re: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: Steve Pyro on January 04, 2008, 02:13:41 pm
See the posts in the Calendar section here http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=7897.msg105794#msg105794 (http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=7897.msg105794#msg105794)
Title: Re: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: fagey on January 04, 2008, 02:20:59 pm
Gutted!! I love the Dakar.. thats these cold jan nights b*ggered :(
Title: Re: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: Kev_mk3 on January 04, 2008, 03:25:43 pm
Gutted!! I love the Dakar.. thats these cold jan nights b*ggered :(
im the same it kind of warms up the start of the new year for me :'(Title: Re: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: mgmark on January 04, 2008, 04:55:20 pm
Bugger. >:( Aside from loving off-roading, the Dakar always means the start of the year and the start of the season. Double bugger. That's a lot of teams and individuals that will have sunk bags of enthusiasm, time and money into it for no return.
MG Mark
MG Mark
Title: Re: Dakar rally cancelled
Post by: fagey on January 04, 2008, 05:16:53 pm
and the other half will be watching some crap on living tv now.. greys someting or other ::)
