London — 27 April, 2011 — Xbox LIVE members across the globe have created history, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous online 100m sprint with 10,539 participants, achieved by users of Xbox LIVE during the Xbox Nations Free LIVE Weekend on 23 ^rd April.

Thousands participated in the world record attempt at 6pm (BST) on Saturday 23 ^rd April as part of Xbox Nations, a challenge inviting Xbox LIVE members to ‘Play for their Nation’ to help create history with Xbox LIVE and Kinect Sports.

Stephen McGill, Director of Xbox and Entertainment for Microsoft’s Retail Sales and Marketing Division, UK & IR said, “We’re thrilled to hold a Guinness World Record title for the largest online 100 metre sprint! Breaking a Guinness World Record is such a massive milestone and we’re pleased that we had the chance to do this in partnership with the Xbox LIVE community, following our record breaking launch of Kinect, which was named the Fastest Selling Consumer Electronics Device by Guinness as well.”

Gaz Deaves, Editor of Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2011 said, “Congratulations to the crew from Xbox LIVE and most importantly, the thousands of Xbox LIVE members from across the globe who got up off their sofas to create this new Guinness World Record for the largest ever online sprint.  The new record will be considered for inclusion in the next Gamer’s Edition.”

In preparation for the Guinness World Record attempt, Xbox 360 assembled some of England’s sporting greats and 2012 hopefuls to face-off in a friendly competition for gold medals at the Kinect Sports Superstars event. England Cricketer Graeme Swann, Winter Olympics Gold medalist Amy Williams, Olympic medalist in gymnastics Louis Smith and the “Lewis Hamilton of table tennis” Darius Knight all ran the 100 metre sprint, setting the benchmark for UK LIVE members to match. Darius Knight secured his gold medal by running the 100 metres faster than Usain Bolt with a virtual time of 9.20 seconds, with fellow team mates coming in at 9.33 seconds by Amy Williams, 10.45 seconds by Louis Smith and 10.60 seconds by Graeme Swann.  

Xbox Nations and the Guinness World Record helped celebrate the Free LIVE Weekend, where millions of Xbox LIVE members experienced access to the latest music, movies and multiplayer gaming on Xbox LIVE for free to show people how the online entertainment destination is changing the way people enjoy their favourite entertainment, play games and interact with friends*.

-ENDS -

*Broadband Internet required; service fees may apply

Video footage from the Kinect Superstars event featuring Graeme Swann, Amy Williams, Louis Smith and Darius Knight can be downloaded here: Kinect Sports Online Broll.mov

To download the Guinness World Record certification image, please click here (CAPTION: Pictured from left to right are: table tennis champion Darius Knight, England cricketer Graeme Swann, lead designer at Rare George Andreas, Winter Olympics Gold medalist Amy Williams and Olympic medallist gymnast Louis Smith hold up the Guinness World Record certificate for the largest online 100 metre sprint on Kinect Sports, achieved by 10,539 participants on Xbox LIVE during the Xbox Nations Free LIVE Weekend on 23rd April.)

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About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. With the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment centre of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a network of 30 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE is the online entertainment service for your Xbox 360, connecting you to an ever-expanding world of games, movies, music, sports and social entertainment. Xbox LIVE lets you play the best games, enjoy the largest on-demand library on any console, listen to millions of songs and share the fun with friends around the world. Xbox LIVE is now also available on Windows Phone 7 putting the power of connected entertainment in the palm of your hand. Xbox LIVE is the exclusive home of controller-free online entertainment through Kinect, making your Xbox 360 more intuitive and interactive than ever before. With an active community of 30 million people across 35 countries, Xbox LIVE provides you with instant access to the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about. More information about Xbox LIVE can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/live .   

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement.  First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy.  Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer’s Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements.  The Guinness World Records website ( www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year.