Bahrain Grand Prix a “calculated risk” FIA President, Jean Todt

Todt finally talks about Bahrain GP as trouble between anti-government protestors and police flares in Gulf state
By Simon Cass – 16 April, 2012 – mail online

FIA president Jean Todt has broken his silence on the decision to press ahead with the Bahrain Grand Prix as more trouble flared between police and anti-government protesters in the troubled Gulf state.

Todt was equally tight-lipped on the subject of Bahrain last year, when the race was initially cancelled and subsequently postponed.

However, speaking to German television station RTL at Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, the head of world motorsports governing body insisted the race in Bahrain will pass off without incident.

‘It has a date on the calendar and was always planned,’ said Todt, whose failure to speak out on the subject had previously drawn widespread criticism.
Breaking his silence: Bernie Ecclestone (left) poses with Jean Todt in China

Breaking his silence: Bernie Ecclestone (left) poses with Jean Todt in China

‘There has been some controversy about it, but the FIA is a sports organization. We are only interested in sport – not politics.

‘Our responsibility is that people can go there and have good and secure conditions. This will be the case.

‘We have spoken in this regard with representatives of the government, with the embassies and with neighbouring countries, as well as with European foreign ministries.

‘We have made an extensive examination with a lot of checks. It is clear that the Grand Prix can go ahead.

‘At the moment, a major golf tournament is going ahead in Bahrain. On one hand, there are unpleasant political aspects as well, but it’s the same thing all over the world.

‘On the other hand, we are a sport. We are confident that the next Grand Prix will go ahead just as successfully as this one here in China.’

Tuesday’s trouble took place in Salmabad, six miles from the Bahraini capital Manama and around ten miles north of the Sakhir International Circuit.
Up in arms: Anti-government protesters shout as they march in a procession to visit the grave of Ismael Abdulsamad in the village of Salmabad

Up in arms: Anti-government protesters shout as they march in a procession to visit the grave of Ismael Abdulsamad in the village of Salmabad

The confrontation occurred on the third day of mourning for the death of local cameraman Ahmed Ismael Hassan Al Samadi and followed the now customary pattern of protesters hurling petrol bombs and rocks at the police who responded by firing tear gas into the crowd to disperse them.

Meanwhile, two activists climbed onto the roof of the Bahrain Embassy in London to protest about what they claim are continued human rights abuses in the Middle East country and the decision by Formula One’s power brokers not to cancel the race.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani has admitted to taking ‘a calculated decision’ with regard to the staging of the race.

‘We wouldn’t take a decision on a gamble,’ insisted Alzayani. ‘But it’s a calculated decision, we’ve weighed up our options and we are committed to the grand prix and to its success. I don’t think anything drastic will happen. It’s not Syria or Afghanistan.’ A

week ago seven policeman were injured, three seriously, by a petrol bomb and during a march on Friday three teenagers were shot as police attempted to disperse the more volatile demonstrators.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2130693/Todt-finally-talks-Bahrain-GP-trouble-anti-government-protestors-police-flares-Gulf-state.html#ixzz1sJ3JsDN0