The other side of the Olympics - The X Games

Everyone knows the results of their favorite sport as soon as it happens with communications what they are these days. What most of you are missing are the things that may not be reported on by the mass media. Today I went to check out one of those spots and here is what I found.

The X games are in Salt Lake. 4 blocks west of the trendy, upscale "Olympic Plaza", in the old warehouse district down by the railroad tracks there is a site to see. Mountain Dew has built (along with lots of sponsors) an X games venue and in the afternoon is putting on demonstrations of athletes doing their thing on ramps and jumps made of wood, snow, dirt and mud.

A seamier side of town this is the perfect place for grunge rock and kids in baggie pants with lots of piercings and tattoos, hucking themselves off of jumps using anything and everything they can think of to get airborne. It's refreshing to see that the kids still rule and back-alley air corps' are still where the latest and greatest can be found. My 12 year old son loved every minute of it and scored lots of stickers, demo discs and the like as the whole event is just one big promotion for skateboarders, motocrossers, and daredevil snow boarders. No rules, no judges, no medals just a chance at being wilder or going higher than the last guy. Here's to ALL the kids that still live for that chance.

As you all know the 'real' Olympic stories can be found almost anywhere and NATIVES has tracked the results for you better than most. Enjoy the photos and imagine Lost Prophet's or Pennywise blaring in the background.

GO


Useful Links:
Salt Lake City 2002: Schedule of Events
Official Site

14th place for Chemmy (15/02/02)
Ross Green best ever in Combined (13/02/02)
Alpine Event Summary (12/02/02)
Opening Ceremony Report (11/02/02)
Laura Donaldson Interview (February 2001)
Chalet Girl Olympian (February 2001)
British Alpine Team (January 2001)
Soccer at Winter Olympics? (December 2001)
Security increase at Salt Lake City (November 2001)
Salt Lake games to go ahead (September 2001)
No booze at Olympics? (March 2001)

Report from George Ott - Natives Salt Lake City 2002 Special Correspondent

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