Asian Xtour Bangkok presented by Toyota
World Trade Center 23-24 June 2001

Bangkok, Thailand - Premier action sports competition, ESPN's X Games, returns to Thailand, home of Asian action sport, from 23-24 June 2001. This event is the second in a six-city tour across Asia leading to the ultimate challenge - the Asian X Games Qualifier IV presented by Toyota in January 2002.

The Asian Xtour Bangkok presented by Toyota is the only opportunity for Thai athletes to enter the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 2002. The Thai athletes qualifying for this regional event will compete for a share of US$100,000 prize money. Top finishers will also receive a medal and an invitation to compete in ESPN's X Games in the USA.

According to Mark Reilly, Vice President of Global Games, "The Asian Xtour and the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota are the ultimate challenges in action sports because these are the only competitions which will qualify athletes to ESPN's X Games in the USA."

First staged in 1995, the X Games features the world's leading action athletes and is acknowledged as the pinnacle of action sports competition.

Mr Reilly also added that unlike other action sport competitions, the growth of the Tour and the ultimate Qualifier in Malaysia are well supported by two factors: media broadcast and strong brand sponsorships.

Through its global network, ESPN will be able to televise the Asian Xtour Bangkok presented by Toyota and all other tour stops to more than 140 countries and territories around the globe. In addition, asianxgames.com, housed at EXPN.com, the action sports and culture website, will offer extensive coverage of the Games.

Secondly, the Tour enjoys high-level sponsorship support. In addition to presenting sponsor Toyota and official partner Toshiba, other prestigious companies partnering ESPN for the Thailand leg are Polaroid and official venue, World Trade Center.

Mr Reilly also highlighted three initiatives in the development of the ESPN events and action sports in Asia, "To ensure the highest level of action sport competition, three initiatives are in place this year."

Firstly, the Tour has been expanded to include new markets Shanghai, Malaysia and Manila, bringing more athletes the opportunity to reach the highest level of action sports competition.

A second initiative is designed to aid the development of action sports across the region. Each Asian X Games event will be sanctioned by world governing bodies for each sport category, thereby ensuring the region's premier event complies with international action sport competition standards.

The third initiative involves equipment. ESPN has constructed a special competition course that will travel to each Tour venue. This course is purpose-built by ESPN and its US-based ramp design team, using the latest in construction and materials technology.

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