If equestrian dressage is not enough of a thrill, check out these extremists

If the Olympics are just too wimpy for you, Taikoo Shing's Cityplaza is featuring something more extreme. With a 24-metre-long ramp built inside the mall, a variety of extreme sports will be demonstrated in its atrium until August 17. The questionable timing, clashing directly with the Beijing Games, is a bit odd, but you can't deny the awesome stunts to be performed daily by the in-line skaters, BMX bikers and skateboarders. It all culminates with a trail-bike challenge on the last weekend.

Among the performers is Beijing-born BMX biker Liu Lei, who thinks someday his sport will join the ranks of Olympic events.

'I think it is just a matter of time,' says Liu, 25. 'When more people learn about this sport, I am sure it will get even more popular. As a Beijinger and a Chinese, even though my favourite sport is not yet a part of the Olympics, I am still looking forward to watching the Games.'

Not only is Liu a fearless rider, he started his own range of trail bikes called DOB. 'It means 'do one's best'.' Given the prevalence of injuries among extreme athletes, it's not a bad option as a second career. 'There is no stunt that is 100 per cent safe. If there [were], then it wouldn't be called extreme sport.'

Liu's worst crash involved breaking his hip. 'My mother never wanted me to ride a bike again, but I still do it because I love this sport.'