1980 was politcal stunt. I'd imagine the 1972 Olympics would have been boycotted if they knew ahead what might/was to happen.
It's more than politics. There are legitimate saftey concerns that weren't present in the 1980 Olympics. A more accurate comparison would be if the Olympics were being held in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan.
Nah.. it's not a Nation trying to make a political point. Its a sports participants decision to risk their own welfare and reputation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17663642 For crying out loud Hecklestone, you think the sport needs this sort of publicity.
I'm still skeptical of what's really going on there, specifically the size of this insurrection. I know a private jet pilot who flies in and out of Bahrain every other week and he's not making a big deal out of it. He is based out of Dubai. I'm not saying I agree with what's going on there, but I think it may be being made a bigger deal than what is actually happending there.
Deaths and tear gas. Its a minority ruling over a majority so, so much for inclusion? F1 has better places to go. Abu Dhabi more than covers a mid East race. Bahrain gone means zero.
Good one! Seriously, from the BBC link above; I have a bad feeling he could croak almost any day now, and that will likely spark some serious trouble just as they're getting to town...... Cheers, Ian
If the Baharaini government has any sense they'll announce a "temporary" postponement. Given how they've suppressed as much of the news about the insurgency as best they can. Why they'd want to provide such a bully pulpit to the opposition is beyond me.
Counterpoint; I've got a bad feeling about the whole thing. Cheers, Ian http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98693
Well here is some quotes to the contrary: The statement quoted Britains Ambassador to Bahrain, Iain Lindsay on March 27, saying that: The British government is pleased to see the progress the Bahraini authorities have made in implementing the recommendations of the landmark BICI, chaired by Prof Cherif Bassiouni. I firmly believe that the (F1) event can act as a way of bringing communities together there are some who favour direct action on the streets. I believe they are wrong, and have little doubt that they represent a small minority of their own community and an even smaller minority of the Bahraini population. Incidents have been been mainly confined to particular districts, away from the city centre and areas frequented by visitors. I have little doubt that the Bahraini authorities will do everything they can to ensure that the Grand Prix goes off smoothly. It said that the UK maintains its no travel restrictions security status on Bahrain. Ben Wallace MP, chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Iran. Bahrain has made massive steps towards reform in the last year. Many observers have been encouraged by the independent commission of enquiry into events last year and so far 15 out of the 24 reforms recommended have been implemented. As chair of the UK parliaments all party group on Iran I have been at the forefront of pressurising Bahrain to do more for its Shia population and have met a number of the opposition groups in the past months. If I thought it would help I would be the first to call for the cancellation. I believe however that as things stand, by allowing the Bahrain Grand Prix to go ahead it can play a part in healing the country. It also quoted a remark made in February by Professor Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, Chairman of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, saying that the Grand Prix is a significant national event, which is of great interest to a substantial percentage of the population and all of its communities. It is, therefore, an event of deserved national pride. Aside from the economic, publicity and public relations advantages that the grand prix brings to Bahrain it is, on the one year anniversary of the February/March events of last year, an important point of departure for the people of Bahrain to forge ahead in their national efforts towards reconciliation. John Yates, a former assistant commissioner in the London Metropolitan Police Service, who is a paid adviser to Bahrains Interior Ministry on policing (and thus hardly neutral), saying in an interview this week that the authorities are aiming to provide adequate security that keeps F1 personnel and fans safe without showing overt force that impinges the event. He said: It is very much hoped that the policing will be low key and discreet. But if there are problems, they must be able to escalate their response if need be. People can be assured that if problems arise, then there will be a plan to deal with that, as there would be with any public event in the world. Its a really important event for this country. There is nothing that in any way warrants for the race to be postponed. Personally I'am not in the least convinced.
More from Bernie Schmucklestone... Seems clear that if Bernie cancels the race he probably doesn't get his fee. So pathetic... >8^) ER
Before everybody gets on a morale bandwagon let's not forget that there is a lot of money at stake which belongs to the teams. So it only makes sense that Bernie involves the teams in the decision making process.
Agreed, no matter how big or small the issue there it's clearly having an impact on how teams feel about going there, not necessarily because they are politically concerned but rather they are concerned for their own safety. Or at least that's how they'll sell it when the race isn't run.
And a counterpoint to the counterpoint...... As noted above, it is (as it should be IMO) JT's call....... Cheers, Ian http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98696
Huh? They let him keep it last year - Although he apparently offered to give it back. FOM (nee, Bernie) cannot cancel the race - Only the FIA (JT) could do that. I'm pretty sure they've already paid for this year - Bernie likes his money up front after all. It's not his decision so I'm not following your "pathetic" comment..... This is not about the $ - There's plenty of those floating around and if you're any good Bernie will happily pay you. This is about the safety of the teams & fans. Cheers, Ian
IIRC, last year nor Bernie or FIA cancelled the race, but the Bahrein authorities. That´s what probably Bernie is waiting for: if he cancels the race, he looses the money; but if the Bahrein authorities cancel it, then they have to pay anyways.
My angst is driven by the fact that all of Bernie's decisions seem motivated by how much money he will earn, not necessarily what is best for the sport or the people involved. That's what I find pathetic. >8^) ER
