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10 January 2008
Dakar Rally cancelled amid fears of terrorist attacks
Organisers have cancelled the Dakar Rally due to security concerns. The long-running motor race is a symbol of endurance. Participants enter in three categories - cars, motorbikes, and trucks - to cross the Sahara desert.
The Dakar Rally, scheduled to run from January 5th 20th, is a gruelling test of endurance, beginning in Lisbon, Portugal, continuing through Mauritania, and ending in Dakar, Senegal. This is the first time the race has been cancelled in thirty years. Formerly known as the Paris-Dakar, the rally used to originate in the French capital.
The reason for the cancellation is a threat to security for the 500 participating teams, after four French tourists were recently murdered in Mauritania. The French government subsequently issued a statement advising against travel to the North African country and the French organizers of the rally felt they had no choice but to abort the race.
It became apparent that threats had also been made against the rally by terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda.
Teams were not consulted about the decision to cancel. Team Dakar USA leader Robby Gordon criticized the decision, saying that organizers could have been postponed the race and not canceled it. He expressed frustration at the abrupt end to months of preparation for all the teams involved.
Most teams are funded by sponsors who will be losing a lot of money. Host countries will also lose out as they count on huge financial benefits during the weeks of the rally.
The Dakar rally is known to be a dangerous race crossing tough terrain in very difficult conditions. Almost 50 drivers have died before reaching the finishing line in previous years.
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