ESPN Body Issue Before Sports Illustrated
Start writing a post
Entertainment

ESPN Body Issue Before Sports Illustrated

Athleticism before sexuality.

1317
ESPN Body Issue Before Sports Illustrated

It is no secret that Sports Illustrated is more in the business of selling sex than athleticism. If you just type the name of the magazine into Google Images, only, and I mean only, pictures of too-small-bikini clad Kate Upton and the like pop up. Sometimes the bikinis are even shown falling off, so one has to wonder where the “Sport” occurs in all of this.

Instead of focusing on Sports Illustrated’s failings, however, I’d like to redirect the attention to this article to a magazine that does support athleticism in men and women alike. Every year, ESPN releases a “Bodies We Want” edition, which features a photo-shoot of naked male and female athletes. Breasts and genitalia are always covered in these photos, and even though the athletes are naked, their lack of clothing emphasizes their muscular, powerful figures rather than their sex appeal.

Each photograph includes the name of the athlete, a short bio, and sometimes a quote. Issues have included Amy Purdy, a snowboarder who lost both her legs at the knee but continued to compete.

Hillary Knight, a Forward in the US National Ice Hockey Team, was also featured, saying, “I gained 15 pounds [for the Olympics] and I still felt feminine at 185 pounds. I just jumped right in and took hold of being a proud female athlete.”

Natalie Coughlin, swimmer, and 12 time Olympic medalist admits that she has scoliosis and says “Going into the 2012 Olympics, I was 29 and married; everyone assumed I would retire, have babies and disappear. There are teammates on the male side that don’t get these questions. I just find it interesting that people so openly are like: ‘Yeah, this is obviously what you’re going to do, right?’”

The issues aren’t just a step forward for female athletes, but all sorts of athletes that break the norm. For instance, Marshawn Lynch, running back for the Seattle Seahawks, said he did this photoshoot to “Show some love for the fat blacks.”

Todd Clever, the captain of the US National Rugby Team, explains how he has never been the biggest or fastest guy on the team, but he’s just resolved to work harder so that he can become, “Fitter than the guy across from me.”

It is just refreshing to see hard work and athleticism lauded, to see men and women photographed naked so we can see the raw power of their bodies rather than absurdly magnified sexuality. Anyone agree?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57523
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37051
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958787
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191224
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments