Dakar Rally

04th January 2008

Terrorist threats have forced organsiers of the gruelling Dakar Rally to cancel the event. Due to start on 5 January, the two week marathon has been called off in the interests of competitor safety.

After discussions with the French Government, rally bosses decided they would be subjecting entrants to unecessary risk by allowing the event to go ahead. This news comes days after four French tourists were shot dead in Islamic Maghreb, which features on the intended competition route.

However, a Dakar Rally spokeman was keen to emphasis that this was not the end of the event: "The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. In the months to come we will prepare for the challenge of 2009".