Many people are familiar with The X Games, the granddaddy of all action sports competitions. This year, the event celebrates its twelth anniversary, and it's a good time to check back and see how it started, and how it's changed over the years. And if there's one sport within the games that has grown, changed and developed over the years, it's skateboarding. Starting with icons like Tony Hawk and Andy Macdonald, the sport has gotten bigger, better and badder (just look at Big Air).
Check out this great special produced by ESPN that looks back at the evolution of skateboarding in the X Games, with great video from Skate Vert and Street comps from over the years.
X Games - The Evolution of Skate
Introduction
Tony Hawk and Andy Macdonald help introduce this special about the evolution of Skateboarding in the X Games. (TRT: 2:16)
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1995
A look back at the first X Games in 1995 in Rhode Island. Bob Burnquist and Tony Hawk headline the first events. (TRT: 4:14)
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1996
The X Games Year Two. Tony Hawk and Andy Macdonald dominate the field. (TRT: 5:49)
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1997
The X Games move to San Diego and Vert Doubles is introduced. Danny Way, Tony Hawk and Bucky Lasek lead the way with Andy Macdonald out. (TRT: 7:15)
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1998
Still in San Diego. Giogrio Zattoni shocks everyone with his great performance, overshadowing Tony Hawk. But Andy Macdonald shows why he is among the best... (TRT: 4:31)
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1999
The X Games move to San Francisco. Best Trick is added, and while Colin McKay shines, it's Tony Hawk landing the 900 that makes history. (TRT: 6:56)
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2000
The X Games, still in San Francisco, celebrates new highs in Vert with moves like Bob Burnquist's Fakie 5-0 Fakie Kickflip Out being done. (TRT: 8:26)
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2001
The X Games go back to the East Coast to Philly. They also go indoors and add Skate Street. In Vert, Bob Burnquist holds off Bucky Lasek's attempt for three straight Golds with an incredible run scoring 98. (TRT: 14:32)
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2002
In Philadelphia the Brasillians, led by Sandro Dias and Bob Bunrquist, dominate, while Tony Hawk and Andy Macdonald complete their reign over Vert Doubles. (TRT: 12:53)
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2003
The X Games move to Los Angeles, and Chad Muska makes his mark while Ryan Sheckler becomes the youngest Gold medal winner in Games history in Skate Street. (TRT: 10:27)
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2004 pt 1
Year two in Los Angeles for the X Games. Shaun White, Ryan Sheckler and Paul Rodriguez are among the new guard in skate to come to the games. But in Vert Bucky Lasek comes through with the Gold. (TRT: 12:30)
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2004 pt. 2
The era of Big Air starts at the X Games as Danny Way brings the megaramp to the X Games. While monsters like Andy Macdonald try, it's Danny Way who takes home the gold. (TRT: 4:47)
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- Check out Lat34's full coverage of the X Games!
Photo Credit: Markus Paulsen/Shazamm/ESPN
