Eight thousand people are expected to visit the two-day event, which starts Saturday at the speed-skating center in Krilatskoye.
The games will see hundreds of competitors from around the world compete in six different disciplines: street skateboarding, street BMX, flatland BMX, aggressive in-line skating, mountain-boarding and wake-boarding.
One of the most eagerly awaited competitors is Chris Haslam, a Canadian professional skateboarder.
Visitors will also watch the new wunderkind of the BMX world, 13-year-old Nikolai Rogatkin, a second-generation Russian-American, who is so successful that he earns more money than some people twice his age.
Local riders are just as dedicated and have been battling to get into the competition too.
“It is a great chance to put yourself out there,” said Pavel Kuznetsov, who took up skateboarding when he was just 8 years old. “It is not just entertainment, it is a way of life, your world where you can run to hide away from problems.”
Despite a certain whiff of boys and toys, the games has a growing female contingent and is trying to attract more.
“There are very few girls who skate. I’d like to raise the skill level,” said Yekaterina Shengeliya, who won first place in the skateboarding women’s section in last year’s games.
If you are a budding skater, there is still time to enter the games at qualifying competition at Adrenalin skate park Friday. The top 15 will qualify for the games.
The Adrenaline Games is on Sept. 19 and 20 at Krylatskoe speed skate center, 16 Krylatskaya Ulitsa. Metro Molodyozhnaya. Tel. 910-406-7878. www.adrenalingames.ru
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.