Dubai, United Arab Emirates * -- The region’s first ever ESPN X Games took place December 7-9, 2005 *, employing a vert ramp * with a backdrop of Dubai Creek Park.

"Since the first international X Games took place in 1997 *, ESPN has been privileged to bring action sports all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil * to Seoul, Korea *. We are very proud and excited to add the Middle East and Dubai to our elite list of hosts," said ESPN’s Jack Wienert, Executive Director.

The 14 athletes there represented six different countries and already accounted for 44 X Games medals. Athletes jumped right into enjoying the Dubai culture the same day they arrived into the host city.

The atheletes were treated to an excursion where they were driven out into the desert in 4x4s and welcomed with camel rides, good cuisine, henna tattoos and a special entertainment act with belly dancers. "It was so fun. The only thing I wanted to do was drive the 4x4 myself and ride on a camel," Fabiola da Silva said about the evening.

In addition to Fabiola da Silva and Jamie Bestwick, the fans can expect to see Brazil’s Sandro Dias * (Skateboard), Denmark *’s Rune Glifberg * (Skateboard), England *’s Simon Tabron (BMX), Germany *’s Toby Immler (BMX), Spain *’s Eduardo Terreros (BMX), United States *’ Buster Halterman * (Skateboard), Neal Hendrix * (Skateboard), Mike Mancuso (BMX), Australia *’s Cesar Mora (Aggressive In-Line Skate) and Shane Yost (Aggressive In-Line Skate), Chuck Carothers (Moto X) and Nixey Danielson (Moto X).

Hosted by ESPN officials, sponsors and the city of Dubai, representatives from Dubai Tourism, PepsiCo, Dubai Creek Park and ESPN welcomed the media, VIPs and fans to the three day event.

ESPN X Games Dubai was held through December 9, 2005, with Dubai Creek Park, the second largest park in Dubai, serving as the venue. Admission to the event itself was free, though there was a fee to enter the Park.

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995 *. Today, the X Games and Winter X Games are the biggest action sports events in the world. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2 *. The brand has also grown to include international X Games events, EXPN *.com, EXPN Radio, the large format film ESPN's Ultimate X, and various X Games-branded retail products.

More about the ESPN X Games Dubai can be found at www.xgamesdubai.com.

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