It must have been difficult to condense eight days of athletic and cultural glory into a two-hour film, but the Gay Games VII official commemorative DVD, directed by Brenda Schumaker, presents a concise, touching, and uplifting overview of the seventh Games.

A 20-minute segment on the four-hour opening ceremony provides snippets of nearly all the speeches and performances by an array of talents, including Margaret Cho, Holly Near, Megan Mullally, Erasure's Andy Bell, and the amazing Anti-Gravity gymnastic/dance group. But the parade of athletes, even in a shortened format, will probably give any participant the biggest thrill.

Compared to previous Gay Games videos – and I've seen them all – this is one of the most sports-focused documentations of such an event. The DVD visualizes the diversity of participants from around the world and the ebullient hospitality of the city of Chicago. Unlike 2002's Sydney Gay Games DVD (a sprawling five hours), the DVD of the 2006 Games is leaner and more to the point – like the event itself.

Many of the Gay Games' 31 sports get admirable coverage in well-edited segments that show the spirit, enthusiasm, and open affection of the participants. The coverage of day one's early morning triathlon captures winners and late stragglers in equally exhausted joy.

Some segments cater to the sexy nature of their respective sports, like the muscled hunks of physique, the fierce water-polo final between West Hollywood and the Queer Utah Athletic Club (held in a facility so warm, most of the audience was shirtless), and the bikini-clad beach volleyball jocks (male and female).

Added to these segments are interviews with women and men of all ages and body types, including 88-year-old physique competitor Paul Mart (also a co-founder of the Gay Games), who proves the concept that anyone can compete.

Cultural and special events get screen time as well. Cheerleading, choir concerts, marching band, and color guard represent the rousing aspect of every Gay Games.

Controversies at the Games are handled swiftly, yet provide an appropriate context to the minor conflicts that took place. Christian fundamentalists who protested at the rowing events in suburban Crystal Lake are shown, but interviews with local PFLAG parents and participants illustrate the more supportive environment that pervaded.

When a protester tried to interrupt concert pianist Tatsuya Nagashima's performance at Millennium Park, his simple reply – an instrumental version of "Jesus Loves Me" – shows how such negative interruptions were quickly dispatched.

Some segments, like the Pink Flamingo aquatic show, could have done with more screen time, but each of the most colorful contingents is given its close-up.

Other sports are given short shrift in montages lasting only a few minutes, including ice hockey, wrestling, sailing, golf, billiards, and darts. With nearly 300 Gay Games records set in swimming, that sport could have done with more time, too.

Like most other Gay Games documentaries, statistics and other overall data are not included, which is disappointing. While several individual medalists are identified when interviewed, even an overall range of the number of medals won in different sports is not provided.

Making up for this weakness in the DVD, a variety of human-interest stories underline one of the Games' goals – inclusion. There are interviews with deaf athletes – including a female triathlete and a male figure skater – plus openly HIV-positive athletes, including masters diver Scott Smith, and physique medalists Steven Perkins and Douglas Bates.

A touching story within the soccer segment covers the difficult journey of The Chosen Few, the only women's soccer team from South Africa, who were also scholarship recipients. Fellow South African Leigh-Anne Naidoo, a highly ranked volleyball player, worked with the Chicago organization to secure visas for the team, and is featured in a few impassioned moments.

Naidoo is among the notable athletes featured on the DVD, including former NFL player David Kopay (reciting the athletes' oath), former baseball pro Billy Bean (competing rather well in tennis), and former NFL football player Esera Tuaolo. Not only does Tuaolo sing, but he also plays volleyball (and flag football – but that sport segment focuses on other participants).

Although it's gratifying to see that some of the informal medal ceremonies are included, the Gay Games VII DVD isn't always about the victors. One of the wonderful segments in the softball footage showcases the cheerful attitude of a Taiwanese women's softball team, who, despite losing every game, come across as truly generous winners.

San Francisco participants get their moments, including Cheer SF's Sanford Smith, the SF Track Club's Brian Mutert, and Sara Waddell-Lewinstein, who nicely sums up a softball victory with the astute play-by-play needed in this and other gay sports documentaries.

Several closing ceremony performers get some great moments, including Betty, the DC Cowboys, and of course, Cyndi Lauper's sure-to-be-iconic appearance as a rainbow-flag-clad Statue of Liberty singing "True Colors."

During the closing and sponsor credits, a few songs can be heard in their entirety, such as former Styx band member Chuck Pannozzo's commissioned anthem "Faces of Victory," and cute folk/rocker Eric Himan's "Love Don't Hide" (both performed at the closing ceremonies). Tuaolo's spirited a cappella rendition of the Games theme song, "Take the Flame," remains my favorite.

Bonus features include a segment about the late Tom Waddell that was shown at the opening ceremonies, and that has a well-intentioned PSA quality to it. The segment includes a statement about the Games that Waddell wrote in 1982, which was recited by an array of out LGBT athletes from around the world.

Six photo slideshows taken by a crew of more than a dozen great photographers offer some of the best still images from the Games.

For DVD ordering information, visit www.gaygameschicago.org.

Sporting Life closing party

To enjoy a free preview screening of the Gay Games VII DVD, come to the Sporting Life exhibit closing party, Wednesday, December 13, 6 to 9 p.m., at the GLBT Historical Society, 657 Mission Street, #300. (415) 777-5455. www.glbthistory.org.

This will be your last chance to see the acclaimed showcase of Northern California's LGBT athletics movement, which officially closes Saturday, December 16 and was curated by this columnist. For reviews, online video, and photo links, visit www.sportscomplex.org.

Stade France Rugby

For a few more jocky stocking stuffers – or for yourself – the Stade France Rugby 2007 calendar and DVD are already making waves among fans of athletic nudity. Since 2001, the hunky members of the Parisian team have posed nude for charity, and the calendars have become an international sensation. With more frontal nudity than ever before, this year's guest athlete, Scotland rugby star Sean Lamont, has made quite a sensation with his, ahem, large talents.

Unlike some previous years, you don't have to order the calendars in French and have them shipped overseas, as the calendar, DVD, and a book from last year (and for 2007, I'm told), are available from major online retailers, and your nearby LGBT bookstore, including A Different Light, 489 Castro Street. www.adlbooks.com or www.stadefrance.fr.

Chris Landherr – Will Rassel for Food

To add a little music to go with your sporty gifts, Gay Games VI wrestling medalist Chris Landherr's first CD, Will Rassel for Food , brings a sincere sense of out gay attitude to some simple and plaintive tunes. From the bluntly titled, "I'm a Fag," (which garnered an Outmusic Award nomination) to the more subtle yet clear "Waiting for my Man," Landherr brings a sometimes romantic voice to the relatively small category of out gay male singers. www.krislandherr.com.

Upcoming events

Gay Sierrans

San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Sierrans have two events this weekend.

On Saturday, December 9, the Marin Headlands "Hill 88" dog hike includes great views of rolling hills and surf, and an exploration of "edible geology" with a Headlands Institute hike-leader. Climb 800-feet to the top of Hill 88, check out Battery Townsley, then let your dogs run on Rodeo Beach. Bring lunch, windbreaker or raincoat, and binoculars if you're so inclined. Dogs must be leashed on trail, and under voice control on the beach. Hike will happen rain or shine. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Rodeo Beach parking lot. Chai and cookies afterwards at a private home in the Headlands, if you're interested. For more info, contact Erica Tucker at etucker72@yahoo.com.

On Sunday, December 10, it's the Land's End and Presidio Hike, showcasing some of the most scenic vistas of San Francisco. Bring lunch and water. Dress in layers; the area is famous for its fog. Allow about four and a half hours for this eight-mile hike. Heavy rain cancels. Directions: From Geary Boulevard: Head toward the Cliff House. Stay right onto Pt. Lobos Avenue Take El Camino del Mar north to its end at the Battleship Memorial parking lot. Muni: Take the 38 Geary to its terminus at Pt. Lobos Ave. and El Camino del Mar. The 18 bus also stops there. Walk north on El Camino del Mar to its end at the Battleship Memorial parking lot. For more information, contact Paget Valentzas (415) 775-2620, pagetsf@hotmail.com or Kelly Sandlin (925) 862-0255 kellysandlin@comcast.net.