Saturday, January 05, 2008

Terrorism Cancels Race

For the first time the 30-year-old Dakar rally, one of the biggest competitions in automobile racing, has been called off. The race had been due to start in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday, and finish in Dakar, Senegal, on Jan. 20.

However, the motorcycle, car and truck race across the Sahara desert was canceled Friday by organizers citing “direct” threats of terrorism from al-Qaida. The French government issued warnings following the Dec. 24 slaying of a family of French tourists in Mauritania, where most of the rally was to be held.

The terrorists will become emboldened by this and step up their threats. Keep watch on the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. It will be interesting to see what the terrorists try and how the Chinese deal with it.

No comments: