Extreme action sports have been a popular activity for many people over the years and can include a variety of different disciplines. Some of these include skateboarding, BMX bikes and Moto X to name a few. While these have been carried out informally for many years, in 1995 the US sports broadcaster ESPN brought together the best extreme sports competitors in an event that was christened the X Games. The inaugural summer X Games was held in Rode Island and saw competitors take part in a number of events where they battled it out to win Gold, Silver and Bronze medals as well as cash prizes.
The first X Games was a success and they have been staged every year since with the games usually held in Los Angeles. As well as the games, the event usually includes the X Fest Village which provides activities for fans during the event. This can include autograph signings with the stars of the event, athlete demonstrations and other activities such as climbing walls and video games. The summer X Games are usually held over a 4 day period in July/August. 2010 sees the 16th staging of the event and this is to again be held in Los Angeles between July 29 and August 1.
In 2010 there will be four venues staging the various X Games events. These include the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Staples Center, the Nokia Theatre and the Event Deck at LA Live. The events scheduled to be held at each of these include the following.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
A number of Events will be staged at this venue on the 29th and 31st of July. The main event that fans will be looking out for is the Moto X Freestyle competition in which some of the best freestyle riders in the world will compete. Moto X Super X will also be featured and this will showcase the talents of some of the best stadium racers around.
For the first time ever Rally Car Racing will be staged at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and this will be joined by the other rallying event the Rally Car SuperRally which will also be held for the first time at the venue.
As well as motor powered sports, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will also be used to stage some of the Big Air events. The set up for this will include a massive ramp where competitors will have the chance to launch themselves over a 50 foot or a 70 foot gap and also the opportunity to show their skills on a 27 foot quarterpipe. The events to be staged include Skateboard Big Air, Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam and BMX Freestyle Big Air.
Staples Centre
Events will be held at the Staples Center on July 30th and August 1st. For the fourth year in a row Moto X Step Up will be one of the disciplines held and also featured will be Moto X Best Trick and Moto X Best Whip. In 2010 Moto X Speed & Style returns to the games and this will also be staged inside the Staples Centre.
Nokia Theatre
There are a few events to be held in the Nokia Theatre on July 30. The stage of the venue is to be transformed into a platform for the vertical events, the first time that this has been done. The events to be held include the Men’s, Women’s and Am’s Skateboard Vert and the Skateboard Vert Best Trick. BMX will also be held on the stage with the various BMX Freestyle Vert competitions taking place.
Event Deck at LA Live
This venue continues as the location for the X Games Street and Park Competition Course with both BMX and Skateboarding events taking place from July 29th to August 1st. The events to be staged will include Freestyle Street for BMX and Skateboard as well as Freestyle Park for BMX and Skateboard.
Extreme action sports have grown in popularity in recent years and the X Games have played their part in this. With the best competitors in the world taking part they are a magnet for all extreme sports fans and 2010 is sure to be another successful event.
The full Summer X Game competition schedule can be found at http://espn.go.com/action/xgames/summer/2010/news/st ory?page=x-games-16-schedule-thurs