Out Athletes Cover 10th Annual ESPN Magazine's 'Body Issue'

ESPN Magazine's 10th Annual 'Body Issue' is online today!

Begun in 2008, the issue highlights the physiques of 16 world-class athletes.

Alison Overholt, editor in chief of ESPN Magazine said in a statement,“The goal has always been for us to celebrate the athletic form—in every shape and size—and to allow people to stop and marvel at the works of art these bodies truly are.”

This year’s edition is more LGBTQ-inclusive than ever featuring Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon as well as lesbian soccer forward Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign) together with her girlfriend, 10-time WNBA All-Star point guard for the Seattle Storm, Sue Bird.

The couple’s print cover is the first time a queer couple has covered the Body Issue.

“It's pretty amazing to think about [being on the cover of the Body Issue], especially in the times we're in,” Rapinoe shared in her interview. “Just think of how far we've come, but also the current climate. Not only are we female athletes, but we're dating as well. It's kind of bad-ass.”

Coming off of this year’s Winter Olympics as well as a grueling tour for ‘Stars On Ice’ while competing (and winning) Dancing with the Stars, Rippon told ESPN Magazine, “I couldn't have done this [shoot] while I was in the closet.”

“I think that, with my experience of coming out, I felt so liberated in so many ways,” the 28-year-old added.

Also included in the Body Issue are Saquon Barkley (running back for New York Giants), sprinter Tori Bowie, cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins, National Women's Soccer League MVP Crystal Dunn, Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, as well as totally fit seniors Jerry Rice of the NFL and pro-golfing legend, Greg Norman.

The print edition of the Body Issue hits news stands on June 29, but you can check out the online versions over at ESPN Magazine here.

Sneak Peek Of Adam Rippon For ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue

Adam Rippon (screen capture)

Out Olympian Adam Rippon bares all for ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue.

According to People.com, 28-year-old credits the coming out process for giving him the courage to do the all-nude photoshoot.

“I couldn’t have done this [shoot] while I was in the closet,” says Rippon. “I think that, with my experience of coming out, I felt so liberated in so many ways.”

After competing in South Korea at this year's Winter Olympics, then immediately hitting the road for 'Stars On Ice' while simultaneously competing (and winning!) the all-athletes edition of Dancing with the Stars, Rippon's body is in fierce shape.

“I don’t want to say I’ll never be in this shape again, but I’ll never be in this shape. I’ll be in another shape,” he said. “This is a milestone of all the work it took me to get to the point to be an Olympic medal-winning figure skater.”

The Olympic bronze medalist says he's grown more comfortable with his body and the concept of masculinity over time.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve redefined to myself what being masculine is and, to me, being masculine is owning yourself as a man,” he said. “Maybe I’m not typically masculine, but I feel like a strong-ass man when I go out there and compete.”

ESPN Magazine‘s Body Issue hits newsstands on June 29 featuring 16 world-class athletes who bare all for the 10th anniversary edition.

Watch behind-the-scenes footage from Rippon's photoshoot below.

Woof: Olympian Gus Kenworthy Treats Twitter To ESPN Magazine "Body Issue" Shots

Gus Kenworthy

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shared a few pics from his upcoming appearance in the upcoming ESPN Magazine "Body Issue," and wow, are we happy he did!

He also appeared on Good Morning America to talk about the photo shoot, where he was very, very charming :)

Sharing that he was completely naked in the snow for 6 hours, George Stephanopoulos asked whether his family weighed in on the decision to do the shoot. Gus replied, "My mom said, 'You're so brave.'"

Watch the interview segment below.

WATCH: @TeamUSA's @guskenworthy discusses being a part of @ESPN's Body Issue for 2017: https://t.co/jGJ0mfxdGD #BodyIssue pic.twitter.com/N7TNl8u160

— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 5, 2017

News Round-Up: July 5, 2017

Gus Kenworthy/Instagram

Some news items you may have missed:

• Woofy out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares the above from his ESPN Magazine "Body Issue" shoot.

• NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, but Trump supporters (who didn't know what they were reading) took it to be "propaganda" against the Donald.

• Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler said transgender people serving in the military is as big a threat to national security as “North Korea, and Putin and ISIS.”

• The Colorado baker who refused to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple told the ladies at The View, “I don’t believe that Jesus would have made the cake if he had been a baker.” Joy Behar's simple response: “Come on — Jesus would have made the cake.”

• A New York City man, indicted on hate crime charges, could face 15 years in prison for violently punching a lesbian on the subway as he shouted "dyke" and "faggots." The victim suffered a concussion, fractured nose, a broken eye socket and multiple deep cuts.

• According to a new Pew Research Center poll, more Americans (56%) trust German Chancellor Angela Merkel than they do Donald Trump (46%).

• MSNBC's Morning Joe had it's biggest ratings ever the day after Donald Trump tweeted about the co-hosts. #SoMuchWinning

• Bonus "Just because" from Lony Pizarro, fitness model. Photo: Anthony Deeying

A post shared by Lony Pizarro (@lonypizarro) on Jun 30, 2017 at 12:01pm PDT

Behind The Scenes Of ESPN Body Issue Photo Shoot

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy

Check this sneak peek into the nude photo shoots for ESPN's upcoming Body Issue featuring out Olympic Freeskier Gus Kenworthy, New England Patriots’ Julian Edelman, Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez and the US women's hockey team.

In one clip you can hear the hunky Kenworthy exclaim, “Oh my god, what did I sign up for? I have to get naked right now?”

It's not as though nudity is something new to Gus. You know what I mean if you follow his Instagram account ;)

Happy Monday!

New England Patriots' Julian Edelman

Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott

News Round-Up: June 22, 2017

Javier Baez

Some news stories you might have missed:

• Check this sneak peek from the upcoming ESPN Body 2017 issue featuring hottie Chicago Cub Javier Baez. The issue is on newsstands July 7.

• Cincinnati plans to name a street after marriage equality plaintiff/hero Jim Obergefell and his deceased husband, Jim Arthur.

• Trans activist Janet Mock says "very privileged" Caitlyn Jenner is NOT a spokesperson for the trans community.

• Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt is getting his own show on MSNBC even as liberal hosts Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell lead the network in ratings. The good news, though, is out news anchor Thomas Roberts will now host a two hour news block on Saturday evenings from 7-9PM.

• Two years after SCOTUS made same-sex marriage the law of the land, Gallup reports that 10.2% of LGBT adults in the U.S. are married to a same-sex spouse, up from 7.9% before the ruling. Additionally, Gallup estimates 61% of same-sex, cohabiting couples in the U.S. are now married, up from 38% before the Obergefell ruling.

• Crystal Griner, the Capitol Police officer who took down the shooter at a Republican baseball practice threw out the first pitch yesterday at the Congressional Women's softball game.

Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner threw the 1st pitch at Congressional Women's Softball game Wed. She was hurt in GOP baseball shooting. pic.twitter.com/M4PMI0zSfN

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2017

Just Because - Olympic Swimmer Nathan Adrian

All photos by Steven Lippman for ESPN

Hunky American freestyle swimmer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian goes au natural for ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue.”

Dang.

More of the 2016 ESPN Body Issue here.