Extreme sports

A general, somewhat hazily-defined term for a collection of newer sports involving action and adrenaline. They often feature a combination of speed, height, danger, spectacular stunts. Levels of danger vary widely.

The term gained popularity with the advent of the Extreme Games, a made-for-television collection of such events. Advertisers were quick to realise the appeal of the event and competitors and organisers are now flooded with sponsorship.

Also worth noting is the inclusion of several extreme sports in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, particularly snowboarding.

Because of the nature of extreme sports, they appeal more to young people, and often attract their own kind of youth culture, with associated clothing fashions and music. Some participants termed 'adrenaline junkies' develop an obsession with their sport and even claim to be addicted to adrenaline.

List of extreme sports The term is hazily defined, but the following could be classed as extreme sports:

• base jumping[?]
• bungee jumping
• mountain biking
• skateboarding
• sky diving[?]
• sky surfing[?]
• snowboarding
• surfing
• whitewater kayaking
• whitewater rafting

Extreme ironing can be jokingly classed as an extreme sport.

Add to this list