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Decision to reschedule Bahrain Grand Prix draws criticism

June 03, 2011 09:10 pm | Updated 09:10 pm IST - Berlin

The decision to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix for later this year has drawn criticism from online global campaign organization Avaaz.

The sport’s governing body FIA decided on Friday unanimously to reschedule the race after it had been cancelled earlier in the year due to ongoing civil unrest in the country, during which at least 24 people were killed.

The race is to be held on October 30, which was to be the date for the Indian Grand Prix, which will now be held on December 11, bringing the season back to a record—breaking 20 races.

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Next season the US Grand Prix will be added for a 21—race season.

In a statement in Manama the head of the Bahrain International Circuit Zayed Alzayani said that it was “welcome news for all of Bahrain.” “As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions.

“Collectively, we are in the process of addressing national and international concerns, and learning lessons from the recent past.” The FIA decision follows a fact—finding visit to Bahrain earlier in the week.

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Avaaz has criticised the decision and is calling on Formula One teams to boycott the race.

The organization wants the teams to: “Take a stand against the decision by boycotting the race, signalling to Bahrain that it will not tolerate such appalling treatment of its people.” Avaaz campaign director Alex Wilks described FIA’s decision as a kick in the teeth of the Bahraini people. “The race will happen in a country where government troops continue to shoot and arrest peaceful protesters.

“Money has trumped human rights and good judgement, so now F1, plus Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and every other team will be directly linked with a bloody crackdown that’s ruined the lives of hundreds of innocent people.” Former world champion Damon Hill has backed the call. In a statement issued by Avaaz on Thursday he pointed out that he was not an official spokesperson for Formula One. “I only speak for myself.

“If Formula One agrees to race in Bahrain it will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order. True peace can only be achieved peacefully. The right thing to do, in my view, is to not race in Bahrain until these doubts have been removed,” he had said ahead of FIA’s decision.

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