After a series of action sports events during this summer that acted as a warm-up session, the highest level action sports competition, which ahs been eagerly awaited by Taiwan's action athletes & fans has finally arrived- ESPN`s 2001 Asian Xtour Taipei presented by Toyota. The leading action sports event will be held at the public parking lot nearby Mitsukoshi Department Store Shin-Yi Branch on 4-5 August.

The first X Games was created by ESPN in 1993 and to action sports fans all around the world, a win at the X Games is the most desired prize of all. Taiwan's best action athletes are now preparing to fight for the opportunity to represent their country and qualify to the 2002 Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota. This regional event will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 27 January - 3 February 2002.

Winners from the Asian Qualifier will achieve their dream - to take on the best athletes in the world at ESPN`s US Summer X Games, the pinnacle of action sport competition.

In order to encourage Taiwanese people to experience the excitement of action sports, ESPN has cooperated with Taipei City Government, to set up the Xperience zone for people to participate in some of the action sports taking place during the competition on 4-5, August. ESPN has made available the necessary equipment for members of the public to try out in-line skating, skateboarding and bicycle stunt. There will also be and some clinics run by professional coaches.

ESPN has also invited four popular and sporty stars to promote the X Games events; Chang Lo-Jun, Lo Ji-Shang, Liu Ji-Han and Liu Ken-Hong. ESPN shot these popular stars for an on-air promo for this event.

In the true "no limits" philosophy of the X Games, the production of this promo was handled by the four popular stars themselves. From shooting to film editing, they did it all. Even the music was composed by Cho Jey-Lun specifically for the promo! The promo will be shown for the first time at today's press conference before airing on ESPN and STAR Sports.

Besides producing the on-air-promo, the four popular stars will also appear in an action sports show on 4-5 August. They will promise to show the spirit of ESPN's X Games "most exciting sports in the world". You're sure to feel the heat of the coolest action sports event this summer!

The Asian Xtour Taipei presented by Toyota is the only opportunity for Taiwan's athletes to enter the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 2002. The Taiwan 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.

Background to the X Games
The Asian X Games Qualifier was first held in 1998 and is the most prestigious multi-event competition for action sports in Asia. Between 1998 and 2000 it took place on Phuket Island, Thailand.

Showcasing 250 of Asia-Pacific's best action sport athletes the event serves as a qualifier to the US X Games, the pinnacle of global action sports competition. Athletes compete in aggressive in-line skating, bicycle stunt, skateboarding, sport climbing and wakeboarding. The Junior event, inaugurated in 1999, is modelled after the senior Games and brings together 130 children aged 14 years and under.

In 2000, ESPN expanded the competition through the Asian Xtour presented by Toyota, a series of pre-qualifiers to the regional event. This year, Tour stops will be held in Shanghai, Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. The Tour events are the only avenue for entry into the regional competition taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (27 January - 3 February 2002).

Winners of the regional competition will secure a place at the 2002 Summer X Games, to be held in Philadelphia USA (12-25 August 2002).

ESPN will televise the Asian event to more than 140 countries and territories around the globe. In addition, and ESPN.com and EXPN.com, the action sports and culture website, will offer extensive coverage of the Games.

In 2001 ESPN will launch X Games Qualifiers and Junior X Games in Europe, Australia and Latin America. A global challenge is also planned, pitting athletes from each of the Qualifiers against one another. The Asian X Games Qualifier was the first international qualifier and remains the template for the future.

2001 Asian Xtour Taipei presented by Toyota is held by ESPN and Taipei City Government. And the other sponsors includes Toshiba, Polaroid, adidas and Hey Song Corp Wayne coffee.

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