USA Women's Water Polo National Team To Appear On Cover Of ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue" 12 members of USA Women’s National Water Polo Team set to appear on 1 of 6 covers & inside ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue,” Celebration and exploration of athletic form in artistic nude photography
News-Sports.net - Oct 04,2010 - Twelve members of the top water polo team in the world - the USA Women’s National Team - are set to appear on one of six covers and inside the pages of ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue,” on newsstands Friday, October 8. The issue, a celebration and exploration of the athletic form in artistic nude photography, will feature, among others, three-time Olympian Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/NYAC), along with fellow Olympians Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/NYAC), Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/PNW United), Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA/NYAC) and Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/NYAC).
Twelve women in total took part in the shoot that was held prior to the team’s summer competition that saw them earn Gold Medals at the FINA World League Super Final and FINA World Cup, maintaining their number one world ranking for the second straight year.
Joining the aforementioned women in the magazine are Lolo Silver (Long Beach, CA/NYAC), Anne Belden (Newport Beach, CA/Bruin), Emily Feher (Santa Ana, CA/NYAC), Forel Davies (Carlsbad, CA/SD Shores), Erika Figge (Santa Margarita, CA/SET), Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, CA/NYAC), and Tanya Gandy (San Diego, CA/SD Shores).
Here is what some of those taking part in this issue had to say:
“I was apprehensive at first but after thinking about it, I knew that we had the opportunity to showcase a truly healthy, and athletic female body. It's important for younger girls to recognize how much hard work and dedication that goes into being an elite athlete. So many times there are negative stereotypes that are attached to athletic women and the Body Issue is a great way to break it. I was honored to be a part of the shoot and I'm excited to see how it turns out!” Anne Belden, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist.
“I never thought in a million years I'd pose naked in a national magazine. What finally convinced me was the whole idea behind the Body Issue, and the caliber of athletes who have previously posed for the issue. I put a lot of work into this body throughout my water polo career in a lot of ways and it's nice to see a major publication celebrating athletic bodies. It's also quite an honor to pose in a magazine that has had great athletes such as Serena Williams and Dwight Howard pose as well.” Lolo Silver, 2010 World Cup Gold Medalist
"This opportunity to pose respectfully naked for ESPN The Magazine has allowed us to showcase our muscular, fit bodies. Water polo bodies come in so many different sizes and shapes and it was amazing to express them through a phenomenal, classy, naked photo shoot. It was an honor to also allow us to bring to light to readers the game of water polo. Our sport is continually growing and it's nice to get our sport out through text and photos! Female bodies are beautiful but female water polo bodies are the best!" Lauren Wenger, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist
Prior to the release of The Magazine, a companion show
