ESPN and Globo are teaming up to bring the excitement of the X Games, the world's premier action sports franchise, to Brazilian viewers when the event is held next March, it was announced today. The event, the first-ever Latin American X Games Qualifier, will be held in Rio de Janeiro at the Aterro do Flamingo on March 21-24, 2002. Globo has agreed to be ESPN's terrestrial television partner for the event.

The Latin American X Games Qualifier will gather more than 200 of the region's leading action sports athletes to compete for prize money, medals, and an invitation to X Games VIII in Philadelphia in the United States in August 2002. Athletes will compete in various contests within the four sport categories of Skateboarding, Bicycle Stunt, Aggressive in-line Skating, and Wakeboarding.

ESPN International, which has staged X Games-related events outside of the United States since 1996, will be the primary organizer of the competition. Globo's role will be that of host broadcaster. Globo will provide production facilities and personnel to help produce television coverage, and it has committed to televise a minimum of three hours of the event live during its "Sports Spectacular" program on Sunday, March 24.

ESPN Brasil will televise updates and highlights of the Latin American X Games Qualifier on a daily basis during its news and information shows. In April 2002, ESPN Brasil will televise six full hours of coverage of the entire three-day event.

"ESPN's decision to partner with Globo, the leading television network in Brazil, is very important in the development of the X Games franchise in Latin America," said Julio Bartolo, general manager, ESPN Brasil. "Globo's experience and professionalism are a tremendous asset as ESPN looks to establish this event in the region."

"Globo is excited to partner with ESPN as they bring the Latin American X Games Qualifier to Brazil for the first time," stated Emanuel Mello Mattos, general manager for sporting events, TV Globo. "The X Games is the world's leading action sports competition. Globo will give sports fans all over Brazil the opportunity watch this thrilling event."

"The Latin American X Games Qualifiers are an important component in the international expansion of the X Games franchise," said Harvey Davis, director, international X Games. "The popularity of action sports is growing rapidly throughout Latin America, with Brazil leading the way through world class athletes such as Bob Burnquist, Fabiola da Silva, and Rodil de Arujo-- all X Games gold medalists. The Latin American X Games Qualifier will solidify that popularity and bring athletes and fans together from all over the region to an event they can call their own."

Within the last 12 months, more than a dozen X Games-related events have been staged around the world, including X Games Qualifiers in Barcelona and Thailand, and the Asian Xtour, which brought the X Games to China for the first time.

For further information, including event and sport histories, past schedules, and athlete bios, log onto www.latinamericanxgames.com.

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