Extreme sports (now also known as action sports) is a general, somewhat hazily-defined term for a collection of newer sports involving adrenaline-inducing action. They often feature a combination of speed, height, danger and spectacular stunts. Levels of danger vary widely.
The term gained popularity with the advent of the X Games, a made-for-television collection of such events. Advertisers were quick to realize the appeal of the event and competitors and organisers are now flooded with sponsorship.
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 Some Extreme Sports
The following could be classified as extreme sports: