A Win for Terrorism: Cancellation of the Dakar RallyBy Calvin A. Thompson
PARIS – The Dakar Rally was cancelled on the eve of the beginning of the first stage after al-Qaeda threatened to launch attacks against the international motorcycle, car and truck race across the Sahara desert.
The French government warned race organizers that al-Qaeda’s north African affiliate was planning to target competitors in the race. According to race organizers, the threats were linked to the December 24 slaying of a family of French tourists in Mauritania.
A posting on the Dakar rally website said:
“Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th 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. (Amaury Sports Organization)”
Approximately 550 competitors were to begin the race on Saturday. The race lasts 16-days and travels 5,760 miles through a remote and hostile landscape from Europe to Senegal in west Africa.
PARIS – The Dakar Rally was cancelled on the eve of the beginning of the first stage after al-Qaeda threatened to launch attacks against the international motorcycle, car and truck race across the Sahara desert.
The French government warned race organizers that al-Qaeda’s north African affiliate was planning to target competitors in the race. According to race organizers, the threats were linked to the December 24 slaying of a family of French tourists in Mauritania.
A posting on the Dakar rally website said:
“Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th 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. (Amaury Sports Organization)”
Approximately 550 competitors were to begin the race on Saturday. The race lasts 16-days and travels 5,760 miles through a remote and hostile landscape from Europe to Senegal in west Africa.
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