The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled because of safety
concerns in the African republic of Mauritania.
Four French tourists were murdered in
Mauritania on 24 December, which led to the French
government advising against any travel to the country.
Eight of the rally's 15 stages were
due to pass through Mauritania.
The event's organizers, the Amaury
Sport Organization, said there had been "direct threats
against the race issued by terrorist groups".
The annual car and motorcycle
marathon had been due to start in Lisbon on 5 January with
the finish coming in Dakar on 20 January.
"Following several consultations with
the French government and taking into account its firm
recommendations, the organizers of the Dakar have taken the
decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally," said an
ASO statement.
"Based on the current international
political tension and the murder of four French tourists but
also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against
the race by terrorist organizations, no other decision but
the cancellation could be taken.
"The ASO's first responsibility is to
guarantee the safety of all. The ASO 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.
"The Dakar is a symbol and nothing
can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition
does not endanger the future of the Dakar."
Daniel Bilalian, head of sport for
event broadcasters France Televisions, added that "wisdom
had prevailed".
"If the slightest incident had
happened, it would have been the credibility of the ASO that
would have been at stake," he said.
The Dakar Rally has been held
uninterrupted since 1979 although in the past, stages have
been cancelled.
Mitsubishi's Stephane Peterhansel
claimed his third Dakar Rally title when he won the event
last year.
