Olympic Gymnasts Aly Raisman and Simone Biles Strip Down For Sports Illustrated Shoot

WOW.

Maxim Staff

Jan 11, 2017

Last year, Sports Illustrated made the unprecedented decision to feature former UFC queen Ronda Rousey one of its three Swimsuit Issue covers (in nothing more than some clever body paint). This year’s issue will feature more darlings of the sports world—Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman and Simone Biles.

Posing for a swimwear shoot is a whole different beast than performing triple tucks and half twists. Still the infinitely flexible Raisman and Biles went for the gold in their fiery photo shoot, which was intended to promote positive body image.

WOWWW what an honor to be featured in @si_swimsuit 2017. THANK YOU to @mj_day & the SI team for including me in this issue. I'm very proud of my body and how hard I have worked to look like this. I of course like everyone else have my days where I feel insecure and not at my best. BUT I think it is that much more important we love our bodies and support each other. It is 2017 and there is NO perfect or ideal body type. SI SWIM celebrates women for being unique and beautiful in our own way which is why I am so happy to be a part of it. THANK YOU @jamesmacari 💛

A photo posted by Alexandra Raisman (@alyraisman) on Jan 10, 2017 at 12:59pm PST

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Shockingly, both have been told their bodies were not suited for gymnastics at various points in their careers yet both have had decorated careers and were integral parts of the gold medal-winning Olympic team in Rio this year. Being asked to pose in a swimwear editorial is just their latest affront to haters and “body shamers” everywhere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO45pkygp7M

“I’m very proud of my body and how hard I have worked to look like this. I of course like everyone else have my days where I feel insecure and not at my best,” Raisman wrote on her Instagram.

“BUT I think it is that much more important we love our bodies and support each other. It is 2017 and there is NO perfect or ideal body type,” Raisman continued. “SI SWIM celebrates women for being unique and beautiful in our own way which is why I am so happy to be a part of it.”

So excited to make my @SI_Swimsuit debut in the 2017 issue! https://t.co/KVGM0T7LDK | So happy to be a part of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Where athletes bodies can be beautiful too. No matter what anyone tells you, have confidence in your own body. OWN IT 🖤 Thanks you @mj_day for the oppurtunity!

A photo posted by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on Jan 10, 2017 at 2:17pm PST

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We couldn’t be happier for these two stunning and strong Olympians. See their sexy spread in its entirety when the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits stands in February.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOgLJdYgCPA

h/t NY Daily News