Adaptive Sports in the 2010 Summer X Games

posted on Jul 30 by Amelia in the Disability News, Wheelchair Sports category

This week is exciting for extreme sports fans at the 2010 Summer X Games 16 held at the L.A. Colisum in Los Angeles, California. This television event is arranged by ESPN and features athletes from across the world competing in various sports.  The 2010 Summer X Games includes categories for BMX, Rally Car Racing, Moto X, and Skateboarding.  Adaptive athletes compete in Moto X Super X Adaptive and the Skateboard Park Adaptive Jam with both wheelchairs and skateboards.

Moto X Racing

Super X is in two divisions for adaptive sports: Limb Loss (i.e. amputee, etc) and Limb Difference (paraplegic, quadriplegic, etc). Attending riders have either been invited by the non-profit AAS, Adaptive Action Sports, or earned their spot by competing at the Extremity Games. The Extremity Games are an X Games style event specifically for athletes living with limb loss, limb difference, and paralysis held in May.  Medals this year at the 2010 Summer X Games adaptive categories are being given out this year in separate paraplegic and amputee categories for the first time.  The motocross event occurred yesterday, and it will be rebroadcast on ESPN today between 2 and 5 pm EST.

Skateboarding

The Skateboard Adaptive Jam is set to occur on August 1, 20101 from 12 pm-12:30 pm EST.  Last year featured wheelchair rider Aaron Fotheringham with his famous wheelchair backflip, and this year will be just as exciting.  Contestants compete in a unique setting with millions of fans watching live in person and on television.

The X Games has been annually held every winter and summer since 1995 where every year fans look forward to seeing athlete’s latest moves and tricks as they compete for medals and prize money. In addition to serious competition, X Game fans are also treated to the annual entertainment extravaganza known as X Fest — featuring a music festival, in-person meetings with famous athletes, demos, and other special events.

Would you like to see the adaptive sports X Games events yourself?  Watch ESPN today from 2-5 pm EST for the Adaptive X-finals rebroadcast from yesterday’s event , or tune in August 1 from 12-12:30 to view the live Adaptive Skateboard Park Jam.

Watch Sammie Eramus talk about the 2010 Summ X Games Motocross events below: