X Games are an annual athletic competition that resembles the Olympic Games . As in the Olympics, X Games athletes compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. However, X Games athletes can also earn cash prizes. Each X Games may include either summer or winter events, or both, depending on the season and location. X Games in the United States have been held in various cities, such as Los Angeles, California; Aspen, Colorado; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. International locations have included Australia, China, Mexico, and Norway.
The name “X Games” was taken from the original name of the games—Extreme Games—which were first held in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1995. The title reflects the emphasis on risky sports not found in traditional athletic competitions. The success of the X Games has helped popularize many of these formerly nontraditional events, especially among young people. Summer events have included BMX biking, motorcycling, skateboarding , and surfing . Winter events have included snowboarding , freestyle skiing, and snowmobiling . Each X Games runs several days. Partly as a result of their exposure in the X Games, some of these events have become part of the Olympic program.
The global popularity of the games, along with worldwide television coverage, has attracted competitors from throughout the world. The American sports TV network ESPN produces, hosts, and telecasts the games. Many famous athletes have starred in the X Games. They include the American snowboarders Chloe Kim and Shaun White, who both won gold medals in Olympic snowboarding; the American skateboarder Tony Hawk ; and the Canadian Olympic snowboarding champion Mark McMorris. The X Games feature additional events for spectators, such as live music performances by popular artists.
