| | August 16, 2000
Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Spain and Australia Part of Major Global Xpansion For 2000-1
During the sixth annual X Games today in San Francisco, ESPN, Inc. officially unveiled the specifics of its plans for a major year-round global expansion of its X Games franchise. Over the next 18 months, more than 10 X Games events will be staged on five different continents, including X Games Qualifiers, Junior X Games, the Asian Xtour and the X Games and Winter X Games. The announcement was made by ESPN President George Bodenheimer.
X-related competitions will be held at first-time venues of Japan, Brazil, Spain and Australia, joining existing competitions in the U.S. and Thailand. Last November, ESPN staged a successful X Games Qualifier on Phuket Island, Thailand, prompting ESPN to return there in December 2000 and to add other events throughout the world.
Following is the proposed schedule for 2000-1 X Games events around the world. Dates are subject to change. Note: This schedule does not include ESPN's X Games Trials, B3 events or the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour.
X Games - Calendar of Events
| Event |
Site |
Date |
| Asian X Games Qualifier & Junior X Games presented by Toyota | Thailand, Phuket Island | Dec. 3-10, 2000 |
| Japan X Games Qualifier & Junior X Games | Tokyo, Japan | April 30-May 6, 2001 |
| European X Games Qualifier & Junior X Games | Barcelona, Spain | July 16-22, 2001 |
| Latin American X Games & Junior X Games | Brazil (site TBD) | Sept. 10-16, 2001 |
| Australian X Games Qualifier & Junior X Games | Australia
(site TBD) | Nov. 12-18, 2001 |
| Asian X Games & Junior X Games presented by Toyota | TBD | February 2002 |
| Asian Xtour | Bangkok | Aug. 12-14, 2000 |
| Asian Xtour | Taipei | Sept. 9-10, 2000 |
| Asian Xtour | Singapore | Oct. 7-8, 2000 |
| Fifth annual Winter X Games | Mt. Snow, Vt. | Feb. 1-4, 2001 |
| Seventh annual X Games | U.S.A.
(site TBD) | August 2001 |
"The worldwide appeal of the X Games has grown dramatically in just six years," said Bodenheimer. "This major step illustrates the global interest and international influence on the action sports landscape and signifies ESPN's commitment to continued growth at both the grassroots and competitive levels."
Following is a brief description of each of the new global events outlined in the schedule.
X Games Qualifiers
Each of the five global qualifiers (Asian, Japan, European, Latin American, Australian) will include vert and park competitions in skateboarding, in-line skating and bicycle stunt riding, plus additional X Games events that are popular within each region. The ESPN International Networks will feature five original hours of television coverage from each qualifier. In addition, terrestrial television partners in various markets will present highlight packages and athlete features. Each qualifier will be seen in over 180 countries worldwide.
In addition to prize money, top competitors from each of the worldwide X Games events will qualify for ESPN's annual X Games, the signature alternative sports competition.
Junior X Games
At each of the qualifiers, ESPN will stage the Junior X Games, which first were held at the Asian Qualifier this past November, together with Disney. The Junior X Games is designed to provide "competitive fun" with children aged 10-14 from different countries throughout the region competing in events modelled after the X Games.
The two-day Junior X Games includes clinics and X Games workshops with professional X Games athletes. There will also be competitions using modified ramps, smaller climbing walls and a mini-halfpipe. In addition, the general public has the opportunity to try the different ramps, walls and equipment, bringing another interactive element to the event.
Asian Xtour presented by Toyota
The three-stop Asian Xtour presented by Toyota will gather the best local athletes on individual stops across Asia in Bangkok, Taipei and Singapore to compete in bicycle stunt riding, skateboarding and aggressive in-line skating. The tour will award more than 50 qualifying spots to the Asian X Games Qualifier and Junior X Games presented by Toyota.
ESPN's network in Asia will present a 30-minute highlight program from this tour.
ESPN's international events will be coordinated by Mark Reilly, ESPN Vice President and General Manager, ESPN International Sales and Event Management and Harvey Davis, Director, International X Games.
X Games International facts
Since 1995, the number of international X Games competitors has increased significantly.
24 countries are represented at the 2000 X Games.
More than 40% of the medals were awarded to international athletes in 1999.
Survey says: X Games - Kid's favorite olympic proportions
According to a Harris Interactive Survey, ESPN's X Games is the second most appealing sporting event to kids in the U.S. aged 6 to 17. The X Games placed just behind the Olympic Games and ahead of such top sporting events as the Super Bowl, World Series, World Cup Soccer, in appeal to those kids aware of the event.
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