ESPN's B3: Bikes, Boards and Blades will be held this summer in Beaverton, Ore. August 26-29, 1999. The event will take place at the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. As with all X Games related events, B3 events are FREE and open to the public.

In it's third year, B3 will bring together athletes from around the world to compete for medals and cash prizes as well as an opportunity to qualify for a bid to the invitation-only X Games next summer. This will be the first time that Beaverton will host a B3 event. Last year, more than 30,000 spectators attended ESPN's B3 in Oceanside, CA.

"We are excited about introducing B3 to the community of Beaverton," said Jack Wienert Executive Director of the X Games. "The turnout last year, combined with the great weather, the assistance of the city and the volunteer support provided a spectacular venue for our athletes to showcase their talents at a world class event. We believe that Oregon will be another fantastic location for the B3 series."

B3 will gather more than 250 of the best alternative athletes from around the world including top ranked professionals and young up-and-comers. The event will feature men's and women's competition in aggressive in-line skating; vert and street, bicycle stunt; vert, street and flatland and skateboarding; vert and street.

ESPN and espn2 will combine to produce more than 14 hours of original programming including 29.5 hours of re-airs and encore presentations. B3 will be broadcast to more than 180 countries and territories on ESPN, espn2 and ESPN International. Extensive on-line coverage will be available at espn.go.com. Updated infomation regarding B3 will also be available on the X Games hotline at (415) 782 8536. The 2000 X Games will be held in San Francisco, Calif.