Shanghai: ESPN's X Games, the premier action sports competition, makes its Chinese debut in Shanghai from 26 to 27 May 2001. This event is the first in a six-city tour across Asia leading to the ultimate challenge - the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by Toyota in January 2002.

The Shanghai event will launch the 2001 edition of Asia's first and definitive action sports competition. After Shanghai, the Tour will stop in Bangkok (23-24 June), Taipei (4-5 August), Kuala Lumpur (29-30 September), Manila (20-21 October) and Singapore (8-9 December).

The Asian Xtour Shanghai presented by TOYOTA will take place at Shanghai Stadium Entrance B and will feature Chinese action sports athletes competing in skateboarding, bicycle stunt and aggressive in-line skating.

The Shanghai event is the only opportunity for Chinese athletes to enter the Asian X Games Qualifier presented by TOYOTA, which will also take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 2002. The Chinese athletes qualifying for this regional event will compete for a share of US$80,000 in prize money. Top finishers will also receive a medal and an invitation to compete in the X Games in the US.

According to Mark Reilly, Vice President, Global X Games, "The Asian Xtours 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 US."

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

With ESPN's media reach, it will be able to televise the Asian Xtour Shanghai presented by TOYOTA and all other tours to more than 140 countries and territories around the globe. In addition, asianXgames.com and EXPN.com, the action sports and culture website will offer extensive coverage of the Games.

Secondly, The Asian Xtours enjoy high-level sponsorship support. In addition to presenting sponsor TOYOTA, other prestigious companies partnering with ESPN are Toshiba, adidas, 7Up and Polaroid.

Background on 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 Summer 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 modeled after the senior Games and brings together 130 children aged 14 years and under.

In 2000, ESPN expanded the competition through the Xtours presented by TOYOTA, a series of pre-qualifiers to the regional event. This year, Tours will be held in Shanghai, Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. The Tours 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 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, EXPN.com, the action sports and culture website and ESPN.com will offer extensive coverage of the Games.

In 2001 ESPN will launch X Games Qualifiers and Junior X Games in Europe, Australia, and South 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.

For further information, please contact: Stephanie Green Chen, Manager Corporate Communications, ESPN STAR Sports Email: chens@espnstar.com Tel (65) 488 6134 Fax (65) 488 6308

****** The Asian X Games Qualifier IV, ESPN Junior X Games III and 2001 Asian Xtour are presented by TOYOTA and supported by Official Partners Toshiba and adidas and Official Supporter Polaroid. 7UP is Official Partner to the 2001 Asian Xtour Shanghai presented by TOYOTA. ESPN is the official broadcaster. These events are jointly promoted and organized by ESPN International and ESPN STAR Sports.

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Based in Bristol, Conn. ESPN Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. ESPN, Inc. includes six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Extra, ESPN Now), ESPN International (19 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Regional Television, Sports Ticker and ESPN Enterprises, overseeing brand extensions such as ESPN Zone, pay subscription packages and consumer products.

****** ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world's leading cable and satellite broadcasters, ESPN Inc. and STAR TV. We are Asia's leading sports broadcaster that reaches over 55 million households for ESPN and over 56 million households for STAR Sports (as at February 2001). Our networks bring the world's premier live sports and leading regional events to viewers 24 hours a day. On the ground, the ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group, manages and promotes premier sporting events around Asia, including the Asian X Games Qualifier, Junior X Games and Xtours presented by TOYOTA. On-line, espnstar.com interacts with millions of users and connects them to our networks on air.

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