Philadelphia is acknowledged throughout the world as a mecca of skateboarding. But because the city's greatest skateboarding asset is off-limits, the sponsors hope to create a replica of Love Park for the games. Mayor Street and ESPN officials plan to announce tomorrow that Philadelphia will host the games. The announcement has been under tight wraps because Disney, which owns ABC and ESPN, had a payment dispute with Comcast, which owns the First Union Center and Spectrum, headquarters for the games, an official close to the deal said. The games are due here Aug. 17 to 23.
Spectators can attend free.
Some skateboarding competitions, as well as freestyle motorcycle and bicycle stunts, will be held in the First Union Center. For the sport-climbing competition, a wall with holes in it will be built in the parking lot of the center. Wakeboarders will get into the games on the Schuylkill along Boathouse Row. The Spectrum will serve as the broadcast center. Though the games usually are held outside, ESPN will save money on scaffolding, photo lines and portable bathrooms by moving some of the competition inside.