Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, located near Dallas/Fort Worth, will host the EXPN Invitational, April 26-28, 2002. The EXPN Invitational, formerly known as B3 – Bikes, Boards and Blades, is a two-stop competition organized and televised by ESPN. The event will feature more than 250 athletes from around the world competing for medals, prize money and an open invitation to X Games VIII, the world’s premier action sports competition, late August in Philadelphia, Pa.

The free-to-the-public EXPN Invitational will feature competitions in men’s and women’s park and vert aggressive in-line skating; flatland, park and vert bicycle stunt and park and vert skateboarding. Original programming totaling 11 hours will air on ESPN and ESPN2. Accompanying the EXPN Invitational is the Xperience, an interactive village provided for spectators of all ages to test their skills in sportclimbing, bungy jumping and skating.

In May 2001, Lone Star Park hosted the X Trials, attracting more than 35,000 spectators to the three-day event. For the 2002 X Games, two EXPN Invitational events will be held. A site for the other event, which will be held May 17-19, will be announced on a later date.

“Dallas/Fort Worth sport fans have always respected top performances by world-class athletes, and we are pleased to welcome these top action sport athletes back to Texas,” said Corey Johnsen, President of Lone Star Park. “We are honored that ESPN recognizes the quality of the GPX Skate Park by returning to our venue with this premiere sporting event.”

“Lone Star Park is a great partner to ESPN. After the success of last year’s event, we are pleased to offer this exciting action sports showcase to the people of Texas,” said ESPN Event Creation and Management Auxiliary Events Director Deane Swanson.

The EXPN Invitational venue will be at the GPX Skatepark and Entertainment Center. GPX, Lone Star Park’s new outdoor skate park, with funding from the City of Grand Prairie, includes an intermediate/advanced course, a beginner’s course, a world-class vert ramp and an in-line hockey rink. More information can be found at www.gpxsk8.com.

ESPN’s event creation and management division owns and operates a variety of events in addition to the EXPN Invitationals, including the X Games, the Winter X Games, Great Outdoor Games, ESPY Awards, Tony Hawk Tour, Dave Mirra Tour and more.

Further information including invited athletes, event and telecast schedules will be forthcoming and available at www.expn.com.

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