DUBAI, 28 November 2006 — After their success following their regional launch last year, the ESPN X-Games presented by Mountain Dew have returned to Dubai Creek in full force this year. The event bursts onto the Dubai sports calendar next Friday and organizers expect last year’s 23,000 crowds to be dwarfed by attendance this year.
“The X Games in Dubai last year introduced action sports to a new market which has subsequently grown following the event’s huge success,” said Jack Wienert, ESPN X Games Executive Director. He said that he was delighted to be staging the second games in Dubai and was very optimistic that the public following would continue to grow.
Performances scheduled for the games include the vert ramp – a huge semicircular construction rather like a huge pipe – with aggressive in-line skaters, BMX bikes, skateboarders and the very spectacular Moto X ramps. The event has attracted a cross section of the world’s leading riders.
“It is exciting to see the support and interest in action sports here in Dubai as it was apparent last year at X Games Dubai when so many people came out for the weekend,” said BMX champion Simon Tabron. “Last year was amazing, and I am looking forward to my return to Dubai.’
Athletes scheduled to appear are X Games 12 Skateboard Gold medalist Sandro Dias (Brazil), BMX legend Mat Hoffman (USA), In-line Skate champion Fabiola da Silva (Brazil) and brothers Eito and Takeshi Yasutoko (Japan), the latest Moto X phenomenon’s Blake Williams and Cameron Sinclair (Australia) and many more representing England, Spain, Denmark and France.
For the first time, death-defying performances by 18 professionals from South Africa will be showcased at the Mountain Dew X Tour in the United Arab Emirates which began on Nov. 22.
“Last year’s X games was absolutely amazing – to get the chance to see the skills of these guys in the flesh and so close up,” said 15-year old Michael Osborne who is at school in Dubai and a keen follower of extreme sports, ‘If they come to our school, I’ll definitely be there – I can’t wait.’
