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Bolivia to involve in allcategories of 2016 Dakar Rally competition

Xinhua, April 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Bolivian President, Evo Morales, and the director of the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), Etienne Lavigne, announced, in La Paz on Friday, Bolivia's involvement in all categories of next year's Dakar Rally.

During an event held at the Real Plaza Hotel, in Bolivia's capital city, the South American country's government and representatives from ASO, the company that owns the rally raid, officially launched the Dakar Rally 2016 which will go through Bolivia for a third consecutive year.

Morales expressed his satisfaction for this new edition of the race as Bolivia will be included, for the first time, in all the categories (motorbikes, quads, cars and trucks).

"This is a new happiness for the Bolivian people. Now the Dakar (Rally) will not only go through (the regions of) Oruro and Potosi but also the region of La Paz. It will not only be with motorbikes and cars but now also with trucks," said the president.

The race course will pass through national territory close to Lake Titicaca, which is on the border with Peru, and then head on through Oruro, Potosi and leave Bolivia through the Villazon region in the south of the landlocked country. From there, the race will cross the border into Argentina.

"We always jump at the opportunity to allow the Bolivian people to participate through our Armed Forces, Police and all the government institutions and so that they can welcome (foreigners) and continue advancing into the coming years," continued Morales.

During the official launch, Lavigne praised the Latin American president for "his energy".

"I would like to thank you (Morales) for your enthusiasm and to all friends of this country (Bolivia). The relationship between all of us has grown. We have carried out very beautiful editions (of the Dakar Rally) through the unique and majestic Salar de Uyuni (the world's largest salt flat in southwest Bolivia), and the Bolivian coordination has been excellent. Thanks Bolivia and long live the Dakar party!" said the ASO director.

On Apr. 16, the ASO announced that the Dakar Rally 2016 would be going through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina and it will be the eighth consecutive edition that has taken place in South America since leaving the African continent in 2009 due to security threats.

The Bolivian president thanked the organisers and sponsors for their support. However, he thanked in particular the Bolivian people for their hospitality and great organisation which he said has allowed Bolivia to be part of the new edition of this rally raid, considered the most dangerous in the world. Endi