Nikon Makes Kids Sports Photographers for a Day

August 2002 - For a child, the only thing cooler than attempting high-flying skateboard stunts and bike tricks would be a chance to go behind-the-scenes to see their favorite extreme sports pros defy gravity and capture the thrill with their own Nikon Coolpix 2500 digital camera. With the help of Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the 24 winners of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's ImageMakers National Photography Contest will do just that at ESPN's X Games VIII in Philadelphia August 16-18, becoming action sports photographers for the weekend.

Nikon has donated 34 Coolpix 2500 digital cameras as prizes for the ImageMakers contest to help Circuit City and Boys & Girls Clubs of America make contest winners' dreams come true. Through a $3 Million, 3-year sponsorship, the Circuit City Foundation has allowed Boys & Girls Clubs of America to develop and implement a state-of-the-art photography curriculum and implement numerous enhancements to the 41-year old contest. More than 700 Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation held local contests in 2002, nearly tripling participation from previous years.

Local contest winners moved on to regional and national competitions, vying for the opportunity to become photographers at the X Games in August. This lucky group of winners will then be matched up with professional photographers and given access to shoot their own digital photos of the extreme athletes for two days.

"We are very excited to offer our support to Circuit City and Boys & Girls Clubs of America as they expand their programs for children to promote the development of creativity through photography," said Jerry Grossman, vice president, Marketing, Consumer Digital Products at Nikon Inc. "Providing Coolpix 2500 digital cameras to the ImageMakers winners for their extreme sports photo assignment is a natural fit for Nikon. It emphasizes both the importance of education and promotes using photography as a great vehicle for expression as well as a chance to get in on the action. "

ImageMakers winners will work with their Nikon digital cameras to snap great action shots throughout the weekend including events like skateboarding, BMX bike stunts, motocross and in-line skating.

For product information, contact Nikon at (800) NIKON-UX or visit www.nikonusa.com.

SOURCE Nikon