The X Games

The X games are like the Olympic Games, but for extreme sports. Each year there are Summer and Winter X Games. The first X Games were held in Rhode Island, USA in 1995, and nearly 200,000 people attended!

There are seven sports played at the Games: skateboarding, motocross, BMX, and rally car racing at the Summer Games; and snowboarding, snowmobile racing, and skiing at the Winter Games. To compete in these events, athletes need to be brave and maybe little bit crazy, because these sports can be dangerous. Two of the most famous athletes to take part in the X Games are Tony Hawk (skateboarder), who has won 9 gold medals, and Shaun White (snowboarder), who has won 11 gold medals. Both have video games named after them as well, which is serious;y cool!

Here’s what people said about the X Games:

“The X Games are awesome, man! These dudes do some amazing things with snowboard. I saw Shaun White on TV do a Tomahawk – it was awesome! I’ve never seed anybody do that move before.” Becky Robbins, 14, fan.

“The X Games are about young people, and having fun. The sports might be dangerous sometimes, and there are a few accidents, like broken ankles and wrists. But everybody loves to watch them. They’re cool.” Jonny Boedinger, 30, skateboarder.

“The X Games helped me become more confident. After watching the Games, I started doing tricks on my BMX. Now, I’m pretty good at it, and I’ve made a lots of friends.” Steve Johnson, 16, fan.