The French Presidency believes that the Dakar rally will continue to be held in Latin American countries for years to come and that it will not return to Africa for the time being, after this year’s “successful” edition.
The personal envoy of the Elysee Palace for Latin America, Jean-Pierre Bel, explained to Efe that, according to his information, “the organizers of the Dakar are very happy and satisfied with this year’s edition, with how everything has gone.”
On a recent trip to Bolivia, Bel discussed this matter with authorities, he said, but does not believe in the hypothesis that the Dakar could change continents.
“Unfortunately the situation in Africa is complicated, but what has been achieved in Latin America is a beautiful achievement (…) Everything I have seen, mainly what the organizers have told me, does not go at all in that direction (of change ), but on the contrary, they congratulate themselves on how it went there, “he added.
The president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, expressed a few days ago his wish that the Dakar rally remain in South America in 2017 and not return to Africa, after the organization recognized that it is in dialogue with African countries about that possibility.
«I have heard some versions that the Dakar returns to Africa, I hope it does not return, but if it passes through America, for sure, it will always pass through Bolivia. We will make the arrangements, “Morales told the media.
The Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), which organizes the competition, has acknowledged that it is considering in the future running again on that continent, which it left in 2008 due to geopolitical problems. EFE
Authorities believe that the Dakar rally will continue in Latin America
