PHILADELPHIA - The official sites and dates for the 2001 X Games were announced today, as ESPN's signature action sports event takes over Philadelphia from August 11-22 with venues scattered from the Schuylkill River to the First Union Complex. All events will be free to the public.

Although the primary venue for the 2001 X Games will be the First Union Complex, August 17-22, there are three competitions taking place at sites around the city. Street Luge, Skateboard Street and Wakeboarding will be held the week prior, August 11-14. In addition, first-time X Games event Downhill BMX will be held at Woodward Camp, the world's premier action sports camp, on August 11 and 12 in Woodward, PA, near State College.

"We can't wait to get the X Games started," said Chris Stiepock, ESPN X Games general manager. "The enthusiasm and excitement in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth has been growing steadily for months. We think we've established terrific venues that will allow our athletes the chance to showcase their abilities, and also allow our networks to showcase Philadelphia and Pennsylvania."

The following Philadelphia-area venues have been established: Street Luge, with leather-clad speedsters on eight-foot sleds, will be held August 11 and 12 on Falls Road in Franklin Park. Skateboard Street, celebrating the true street skateboarders, will be held August 11 on the West Side of City Hall. Men's and Women's Wakeboarding will be held August 13 and 14, at the Grant Memorial on the Schuylkill River.

The 2001 X Games schedule begins on August 11, ends on August 22 and clearly outlines the location of the events, including those that will be held inside the First Union Center. All events are free and open to the public, including all events inside the First Union Center, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. At this early date, organizers caution spectators to check for periodic updates to the schedule. Updates to the schedule and additional information are available at www.expn.com, with specific Philadelphia information, including hotel packages, available at www.philadelphiaxgames.org.

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