The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, set to take place later this month, has once again faced intense criticism, after anti-government protests saw a brutal crackdown by the government two years ago.
The 2011 Grand Prix was cancelled with the race taking place the following year amid intense criticism and widespread anti-government protests continuing. More protests are set to commence this week ahead of the scheduled race.
Former F1 World Champion, Damon Hill, has spoken out against the sport’s ruling body’s ambiguous stance on Bahrain,stating,
“Jean Todt's approach has been to say nothing, because otherwise you're being critical, and I think that is a mistake. Because he's being used, or the sport is being perceived as being used, by its engagement in the economy and the reputation of the country.”
"He's not said anything that has distanced the sport from things that it would find distasteful and upsetting, which I believe everyone in the sport would like to do.”
"The vast majority of people in the sport would like to say we don't want to come here to make life worse for people. We would like you to enjoy Formula One. It has lots of positive things to offer. But please don't, on our behalf, round people up and brutalise them. I don't see that being political. It's more ethical than political."
"I would not want to go to Bahrain if people are going to be treated extra bad just so a race can go ahead. What we don't want to have is F1 being responsible for making life worse for people. The question is whether F1, by going to Bahrain, is actually going to enable or further brutal repression."
"It's none of my business what goes on in Bahrain, in many ways. But it is if I'm involved in the sport and that's my life, and the sport is going to Bahrain."
"My view is the sport, and the governing body of the sport, should ensure they're not being hijacked for the wrong reasons. And I'm not entirely sure they've cleared up that point, I have to say."
Meanwhile Bahraini protestors have already expressed sentiments against the race, with Reuters reporting one 22-year-old university student as saying,
"The race brings money to the regime, which they use to buy weapons and attack us.. Of course we're against it".
Also see:
The myth of sports and repressive regimes (03 Aug 2011)
A force for good or ill? Cricket and Sri Lanka today (08 July 2011)
Why a sports boycott is essential for justice (02 July 2011)
Impossible to ignore (21 June 2011)
The link between Sport and Politics (20 June 2011)
Also see our editorial: Politics and cricket: stepping up to the crease on Sri Lanka (5 April 2013)
