SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

• A Fighter's Top Five Training Principles

  Our mixed martial arts expert James Parker gives us five principles that guide good training—whether you're a fighter or not.

• Tis the Season: Workout Tips for Colder Weather

  You love your outdoor workouts, but not when it's snowing and blowing. Well, we've got a few ways to keep sweating as it gets colder.

• Train, Learn—and Have a Great All-Gay Vacation—with RealJock's Trainers at Club Atlantis Vallarta

  Want to get in great shape while vacationing at an all-gay resort in beautiful Puerto Vallarta? Then join our trainers at Club Atlantis Vallarta!

• Gay Athletes on Campus: Progress and Prejudice in College Sports

  Homophobia is deeply rooted in college sports culture. So what have gay rights groups, the NCAA, and activists been doing about it? RealJock asked the experts.

• RealJock Photo Gallery: Add Captions and Comments

  A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a few words can say a lot about a picture. Learn more about three new RealJock photo features: Gallery, Captions, and Comments.

• Ask Billy Bean: Should a Rookie Pro Football Player Come Out?

  Welcome to a new edition of "Ask Billy Bean" with sports and life advice from former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean. This month: Should a rookie NFL player come out?

• Swim Better, Swim Faster: Lessons from the Gay Army Tri Swim Coach

  RealJock.com is pleased to present this first in a series of articles on swimming from Louis Tharp, author and out gay swim coach of the U.S. Army's West Point triathlon team.

• Gay Athletes Study—Participants Needed

  RealJock.com needs your help finding participants for a study of gay athletes. If you are gay and play Division I college sports (or know someone gay who does), please participate.

• Inaugural Pride Track and Field Meet

  The first-ever gay and lesbian Pride Track and Field Meet mixed serious competition with good clean fun for a great inaugural event. Meet highlight? An age-class world record.

• Video Made the RealJock Star

  If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video may be worth 100,000. In honor of the web's move from flat to 3D, check out our favorite video uploads from RealJock.com members.

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 12

  Welcome to week 12 of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. You're in your final week of the 12-week training program. Good luck, and remember to have fun and enjoy yourself!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 11

  Welcome to week 11 of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. This is your taper week as you get ready to run 13.1 miles. Good luck!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 10

  Welcome to week 10 of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. This is your final week before you beging to taper. Get ready to run 13.1 miles!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 9

  Welcome to week nine of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. Get ready to run 13.1 miles in just 12 weeks.

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 8

  Welcome to week eight of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. Only four more weeks until you run 13.1 miles. If you've been following the program, you should have no problems.

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 6

  Welcome to week six of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. Get ready to run 13.1 miles in just 12 weeks. You can do it!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 5

  Welcome to week five of the RealJock.com half marathon training program. Get ready to run a great 13.1-mile race in just 12 weeks.

• John Amaechi: The RealJock Interview

  Since he came out earlier this year, former NBA player John Amaechi has weathered an onslaught of attention. RealJock.com spoke to the man behind the media storm.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Recovery Week

  Welcome to week 19—recovery week—of the RealJock.com 18-week marathon training program. You trained hard and ran your race; now it's time to rest and rejuvenate.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 18

  Welcome to week 18 of the RealJock.com 18-week marathon training program. This week is your race week! Rest, hyrdate, and get plenty of sleep!

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 17

  Welcome to week 17 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. This is your taper week. If you've made it this far and followed the program, in a few more days you'll be ready to run 26.2 miles!

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 16

  Welcome to week three of the RealJock.com marathon training program. This is your final week before you taper! Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 15

  Welcome to week 15 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 14

  Welcome to week 14 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 13

  Welcome to week 13 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. We're heading into the big distance weeks. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 12

  Welcome to week 12 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. You're getting there! Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 11

  Welcome to week 11 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 10

  Welcome to week 10 of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 9

  Welcome to week nine of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 8

  Welcome to week eight of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 7

  Welcome to week seven of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 6

  Welcome to week six of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 5

  Welcome to week five of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 4

  Welcome to week four of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 3

  Welcome to week three of the RealJock.com marathon training program. Follow along and build up to a 26.2-mile race in just 18 weeks.

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 18

  Welcome to the final week of the RealJock.com 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle training program. This week you have one job: to rest! Relax and enjoy yourself, because on Sunday you ride.

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 17

  Welcome to week 17 of the 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle training program. In less than two weeks, you'll join over 2,000 other cyclists on your seven-day, 545-mile journey from SF to LA.

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 16

  Welcome to week 16 of the 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle training program. You have less than three weeks of training until you hit the roads and bike 545 miles to fight AIDS. You can do it!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 15

  Welcome to week 15 of the 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Are you almost ready to bike 545 miles to fight AIDS? You bet you are.

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 4

  Welcome to week four of the RealJock.com 12-week half marathon training program. You're almost a third of the way there! How do your legs feel?

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 3

  Welcome to week three of the RealJock.com 12-week half marathon training program. You have 12 weeks to get your body ready for the 13.1-mile half marathon. You can do it!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 2

  Welcome to week two of the RealJock.com 12-week half marathon training program. Get ready for 13.1 miles in just 12 weeks!

• Half Marathon Training Program: Week 1

  Welcome to week one of the RealJock.com 12-week half marathon training program. Get ready to run 13.1 miles in just 12 weeks. You can do it!

• Try the RealJock.com Half Marathon Training Program

  At 13.1 miles, the half marathon is a great event for newbie endurance runners and seasoned marathoners alike. Want to get ready for one in just 12 weeks? Follow our program!

• How IGLA Keeps the 'Gay' in Swimming

  With the IGLA 2007 championships just around the corner, RealJock.com looks at the organization that has been integral to popularizing gay swimming.

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 2

  Welcome to week two of the RealJock.com 18-week marathon training program. Get ready to run 26.2 miles!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 14

  Welcome to week 14 of the RealJock.com 18-week AIDS LifeCycle training program. Bike 545 miles in seven days to fight AIDS!

• Triathlon 21-Week Olympic-Distance Training Program: Week 21

  Welcome to week 21 of the RealJock.com Olympic-distance triathlon training program. It's taper time... Have fun at your race!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 13

  Welcome to week 13 of the RealJock.com 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Get in great shape, meet lots of amazing people, and most important, raise money to end AIDS!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 20

  Welcome to week 20 of the RealJock.com Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Get ready to ride (and swim... and run...)!

• Introducing the RealJock.com Marathon Training Program

  The marathon is the gold standard of endurance running. Ready to put 26.2 miles under your belt? Then we have the training program for you. Be ready to race in just 18 weeks!

• Marathon 18-Week Training Program: Week 1

  Ready to train for your first marathon? Get started with week 1 of our 18-week marathon training program from running coach Shelby Corkern Jacquez. Build up to 26.2 miles of pure (hell) fun!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 12

  Welcome to week 12 of the AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Ride 545 miles in seven days with 2000 other great riders to fight HIV/AIDS!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 19

  Welcome to week 19 of the RealJock.com triathlon training program. You're almost there!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 18

  Welcome to week 18 of the RealJock.com Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Hope you're ready!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 11

  Welcome to week 11 of the RealJock.com AIDS LifeCycle training program. Get ready to ride 545 miles to fight AIDS.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 17

  Welcome to week 17 of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program! Swim, bike, run...fun!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 10

  Welcome to week 10 of the RealJock.com 18-week AIDS LifeCycle 6 training program. Get ready to ride!

• Fast Fun: The New Pride Track and Field Meet

  On July 7 San Francisco will host the first international Pride Track and Field event. Will it be the birthplace of an international track and field organization? We hope so.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 16

  Welcome to week 16 of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Get ready to swim bike run!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 9

  Welcome to week 9 of RealJock.com's 18-week training program for the seven-day, 545-mile AIDS LifeCycle charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 8

  Welcome to week eight of the AIDS/LifeCycle training program. Get ready to ride to stop AIDS.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 15

  Welcome to week 15 of the RealJock.com 21-week triathlon training program. Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 14

  Welcome to week 14 of the RealJock.com 21-week Triathlon training program. Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 7

  Welcome to week seven of the AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Get ready for the ride of your life!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 6

  Welcome to week six of the AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 13

  Welcome to week 13 of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 5

  Welcome to week five of the RealJock.com 18-week AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Bike to end AIDS!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 12

  Welcome to week 12 of the RealJock.com 21-week triathlon training program. Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 4

  Welcome to week four of the AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Seven days, 2000 riders, 545 miles of biking. Get ready for the ride of your life!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 11

  Welcome to week 11 of the RealJock.com 21-week triathlon training program. Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 3

  Welcome to week three of the AIDS/LifeCycle 6 training program. Seven days, 2000 riders, 545 miles of biking. Get ready for the ride of your life!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 10

  Get in great shape! Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon with RealJock.com's 21-week triathlon training program. Check out our week 10 workout.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 9

  Welcome to week nine of the RealJock Triathlon Team's 21-week training program. Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 2

  Welcome to the week 2 training program for the AIDS/LifeCycle charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Get ready for the best seven-day, 545-mile ride of your life!

• AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Training Program: Week 1

  Welcome to Week 1 of RealJock.com's 18-week Training Program for the amazing AIDS/LifeCycle 6 charity bike ride from SF to LA this June 3 to 9, 2007. Get ready to ride!

• RealJock Says: Do the AIDS/LifeCycle June 3 - 9, 2007

  Want to do the super-fun AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride from SF to LA this June? You know you do. Follow our training program!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 8

  Get in great shape! Train for an Olympic-distance triathlon with RealJock.com's 21-week triathlon training program.

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 7

  Welcome to week seven of the RealJock.com 21-week triathlon training program. Get in shape for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 6

  Welcome to week six of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 5

  Welcome to week five of the RealJock.com 21-week triathlon training program. Get in shape for an Olympic-distance triathlon!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 4

  Welcome to week four of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 3

  Welcome to week three of the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 2

  Welcome to week two of RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• RealJock.com 21-Week Olympic-Distance Triathlon Training Program Overview

  Welcome to the program overview for the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• Triathlon 21-Week Training Program: Week 1

  Welcome to the first week of training for the RealJock.com 21-week Olympic-distance triathlon training program. Swim! Bike! Run!

• Sex at the Gym: Harmless Fun or Just Plain Wrong?

  The debate continues between those who like their steamroom sex, and those who think gyms should be an erection-free zone.

• Real Athlete: Hot Man, Cool Ice

  Fabiano Fernando has gone from Brazilian hottie to ice prince in just six months of competitive skating. He tells RealJock how he did it.

• The Fall Workout

  It's time to embrace the crisp fall season and transition your workouts from a warm-weather mindset to a new fall and winter paradigm.

• RealAthlete: Sport biker and cyclist Mark

  He's got a need, a need for speed. Whether he's wrapped in tight leather or swaddled in Spandex, Mark (RealJock: SportBiker), 42, likes his speed on two wheels.

• Gay soccer heats up in Hotlanta

  Hotlanta Heat gay soccer scores big on diversity and inclusion for the last three decades. Meet the men who put the heat in Hotlanta.

• Gay hockey team sizzles on ice

  The Colorado Climax field hockey teams at all levels of competition and even have a major national sponsor. Meet the men behind the skates.

• Real Athlete: Tennis player Kevin Ware

  Tennis stud and Web guru Kevin Ware, 42, serves up aces in the fitness department.

• FrontRunners mixes running and networking for healthy fun

  FrontRunners, a national gay and lesbian running club, makes it easy to get out, get active and have fun.

• Real Athlete: Cyclist Jeffrey Smith

  We saw Jeffrey Smith several times at the Gay Games, but never on his bike. That's because he wasn't competing; the 35-year-old San Francisco-based cyclist came to Gay Games exclusively to watch the Games and support his friends.

• Real Athlete: Marathoner Jay Zimmerman

  He's a native of Canada, but you wouldn't know it from talking with him. Gay Games marathoner and Manhattan resident Jay Zimmeran has been in New York for 10 years ago, and he has "New York Lifer" practically tattooed on his forehead.

• Real Athlete: Soccer coach Michael Moore

  Michael Moore co-founded Dallas's Oak Lawn Soccer Club 11 years ago, and even though he moved to Houston five years ago, he still plays with the team.

• Real Athlete: Volleyball player BJ Johnson

  BJ Johnson, 27, plays indoor volleyball with the Los Angeles Hollywoodies, a tough competitor at Gay Games VII. RealJock caught up with him courtside before his team beat the Sydney Schoupa.

• Real Athlete: Soccer player Shane Proch-Wilson

  Shane Proch-Wilson was on a big high when RealJock spoke with him—his soccer team, the Boston Strikers, had just beat the West Hollywood Eclipse 4-2 to win the Men's Division 2 gold at Gay Games Chicago.

• Real Athlete: Marathoner Danny Kurak

  Danny Kurak, or "Mr. Smiles" as RealJock dubbed him, just projects good energy.

• Real Athlete: Runner Phillip Aguilar

  Phillip Aguilar was weighed down at the Gay Games—by all of the medals he won competing in track and field and triathlon.

• World OutGames: Olympic rematch results in record-setting swim

  More than 800 swimmers participated in the weeklong meet. Thousands of races have been swum, but none more memorable than the rematch of Canadian Olympic gold medalist Mark Tewksbury and San Francisco native and Olympian Daniel Veatch.

• Real Athlete: Softball player Scott Simmons

  By day, he’s a gymnast and dancer with Disney. By night and by weekend, Scott Simmons, one of the co-founders of the Long Beach Rebels softball team, pursues his love of the game with a team of good friends and great players he’s known for years.

• Real Athlete: Water polo player Jason Hurd

  Diamond Bar, Calif.-based firefighter Jason Hurd, 33, has been playing water polo with the elite team West Hollywood Aquatics for about three years now.

• Real Athlete: Runner J.L.

  J.L., 34, RealJock member name: coachjw, is a coach, teacher and former track star. He's also a cardo-addict.

• Real Athlete: Workout fanatic Larry Duplechan

  At almost 50, Larry Duplechan, RealJock member: hotblkmuscl, wants everyone to know that you can be "healthy, hot and attractive" in middle age. This legal secretary, novelist and musician stays fit by lifting weights, eating right and lots of sleep.

• Activist Keith Boykin wins wrestling gold

  For Keith Boykin, just standing on the 50-yard line at Soldier Field was a thrill. On July 14, he got to walk out on the field during a rehearsal for the opening ceremonies for the Gay Games, which were held the next day. Three days later, he walked awa

• Gay Games triathlon hot, hard on the feet and fun

  Sunday, the first full day of sports at Gay Games VII, began with a hot 6 a.m. kickoff down on the lakefront of Lake Michigan as triathletes from all over the world geared up for the short course (0.75K swim, 20K bike, 5K run) or long Olympic course (1.5K

• Athletes shine at Gay Games Opening Ceremonies

  Sure, an impressive parade of gay and gay-friendly stars came out to celebrate and perform at the opening of the seventh Gay Games—Megan Mullaly of "Will & Grace" fame, Erasure’s Andy Bell, and comedian Margaret Cho, among others—but the real s

• San Francisco Fog rolls into the Gay Games

• Why are there two LGBT games?

  Chicago and Montreal are readying themselves to host massive sporting events this summer for the LGBT community just merely one week apart from each other. What led to two sets of games? How can both be successful?

• Real Athlete: Rugger Mark Byrne

  Mark Byrne, 31, sales consultant from Chicago, looks for one thing: the elusive first win for this rugby team, the Chicago Dragons.

• Real Athlete: Swimmer Mauro Bordovsky

  Mauro Bordovsky, a multi-lingual 49-year-old senior systems analyst from Brazil, may very well have fins. He's participated in every Gay Games as well as founding West Hollywood Aquatics.

• Real Athlete: Runner and wrestler Noel Baggett

  He might be retired from his career, but 65-year-old Noel Baggett from Oakland, Calif., is still wrestling and running up a storm.

• Ex-NFL player finds happiness living in his truth

  Low self-esteem, anxiety attacks, suicidal thoughts and binge drinking doesn’t sound like the life of your typical NFL football player, particularly one voted to the all-rookie team with the Green Bay Packers. But that was Esera Tuaolo’s reality.

• Real Athlete: Triathlete Rand Smith

  He may be an actor by profession, but when 49-year-old Rand Smith takes to swimming, biking and running, it’s all real. Overcoming serious injury, this former World Champion sees gold in his future.

• Real Athlete: Diver Thomas Long

  Thomas Long, 50, knows plenty about Different Strokes. It’s his swim team out of San Diego, Calif. Long hopes to win another gold medal at the Gay Games VII. He’s competing in springboard and platform diving at his fifth Gay Games.

• Real Athlete wins Adult Figure Skating Championship

  Homophobia and shame pushed Stephane Vachon out of ice skating competition at age 17. Now 37, Vachon is burning up the ice again. He placed first in the adult men’s masters competition and first in pairs free skating at the second ISU Adult International

• AIDS LifeCycle 5: 585 miles to fight AIDS and HIV

  On Sunday, June 4, 2006, 1839 cyclists met in San Francisco to begin a tough seven-day, 585-mile bicycling journey down the coast of California. Read RealJock.com founder Jeff Titterton's daily logs chronicling their story.

• AIDS LifeCycle day seven: Ode to Roadies

  We awoke to day seven of the AIDS LifeCycle day to a light June gloom hanging over us, that morning fog so typical to this part of California in late spring. The mood of the camp matched the weather.

• Real Athlete: Triathlete and volleyballer Tim Holbrook

  Law professor Timothy Holbrook, 34, hopes to school his fellow triathletes or fail his beach volleyball opponents. This Chicago native gears up for two fierce competitions in Gay Games VII.

• Real Athlete: Wrestler Ty Downey

  A 54-year-old SoCal rookie wrestler, Ty Downey is finding the camaraderie he missed growing up in Kentucky.

• AIDS LifeCycle day six: I'm a kitty, you're a kitty

  There’s an important saying you learn early on in the AIDS LifeCycle: “I’m a kitty, you’re a kitty.”

• Real Athlete: Rugby player Brian Figueroa

  Staid accountant during the week days, ferocious rugger on three days a eek, Brian Figueroa, 32, hopes to hook up with a team and enjoy a scrum or two at the Gay Games.

• Real Athlete: Runner Carl Maravilla

  Frontrunner Carl Maravilla, 41, of Redondo Beach, Calif., heads to the Gay Games to defend his medal streak.

• AIDS LifeCycle day three: Short, bumpy day

  Well, not too short, “oh me,” 75 miles of cycling including a long hill, known as “Quad Buster,” for obvious reasons. At the top, roadies treat us to tootsie rolls. Ah, simple pleasures for such a hill.

• Namon Huddleston, Jr.

  Namon Huddleston, Jr., 36, a standardized patient trainer from Chicago, likes to play in the sand. He’s making his Gay Games debut playing beach volleyball.

• Real Athlete: Trackster Eric Tokstad

  A 42-year-old architect from San Francisco, Eric Tokstad looks to revive his track career after a 20-plus-year hiatus at his first Gay Games.

• Billy Bean’s “Secret” twist of fate

  Former Major League Baseball player and ardent civil rights activist Billy Bean opened up to RealJock about his new television series “I’ve Got a Secret” on the Game Show Network, his post-baseball exercise regimen and his secrets for relationship success

• Hoop Dreams: Los Angeles league sends four teams to Gay Games

  An all-gay league out of Los Angeles suits up four teams to go for the gold in Chicago.

• Real Athlete: Dragon-boat racer Jong Valientes

  Dragon-boat racer Jong Valientes (RealJock username: rancho), 33, loves the thrill of the race.

• Real Athlete: Diver R. Scott Smith

  R. Scott Smith, 41, likes to dive right in. For over 30 years, he’s been the crazy guy balancing on the end of the platform ready to jump into the waters below.

• Real Athlete: Swimmer Nick Chow

  A 23-year-old pharmacy technician and swim coach from Florida, Nick Chow loves to get wet.

• Real Athlete: Figure Skater Stephane Vachon

  After eight years of pursuing his dream of becoming a professional skater, Stephane Vachon (RealJock username: svonice) gave it all up at 17, bowing under the pressures of homophobia. At 36, he began skating comp

• Real Athlete: Volleyball player Marcus Dodd

  Marcus Dodd is no stranger to the games people play. As a fraud risk consultant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, he knows all the rules and all the tricks. Out of the office, he enjoys games as well, particularly volleyball. His team, Chicago Untouchables, pl

• Real Athlete: Swimmer Kyle Jackson

  Swimming in the Windy City is a breeze for Kyle Jackson, a 24-year-old search engine marketing professional. When he’s not at work, he submerges himself with the Chicago Smelts, an LGBT swim team in Chicago.

• Real Athlete: Wrestler Jason Knight

  U.S. Marshall Jason Knight, 35, knows a lot about wrestling. For a living, he wrestles good guys. For fun, he wrestles gay ones.

• Real Athlete: Triathlete Stanislav Dimitrov

  Growing up in Communist-era Bulgaria, Stanislav Dimitrov, 31, dreamed of being a sports star. Despite setback after setback, Stanislav persisted, until he was able to experience the sweet taste of victory.

• Real Athlete: Sprinter Brian Paul

  A 29-year-old landscape designer from Los Angeles, Brian Paul feels a need for speed. A veteran of the UCLA track team, Paul led Track Team LA to the Gay Games in Sydney as both a sprinter and a coach. How’s that for versatile?

• Real Athlete: Swimmer Scott Robinson

  He leads the kind of active and well-rounded athletic life about which most guys just dream. Meet Scott Robinson, a successful environmental geologist by day and competitive swimmer and swim coach by night.

• Tennis, anyone?

  You may think of tennis as a country club social outlet for weatlhy suburbanites. Not anymore. Today, it's an all-out jock sport, requiring skill, stamina, and sweat. Plus, it's a great way to meet other gay guys.

• Real Athlete: Martial artist James Martinez

  Gay marital artist James Martinez moves with the grace of a snake and the strength of a tiger. Learn more about him and the Indonesian art form he practices in this exclusive interview.

• Real Athlete: Olympic Swimmer & Water Polo Player Rafael Polinario

  Real Jock caught up with Rafael Polinario, 46, poolside at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. In his twenties, Polinario was a swimming phenomenon, Olympic swimming champion, and Cuban celebrity, before he was forced to defect to the U.S.

• Water polo: So hard, but so fun

  Want to try a sport where burly, half-naked men claw at one another in pool, their slippery bodies like so many tiger sharks? Try water polo. It's killer.