Naked & Stunning

I'm in awe over these photographs featured in ESPN Magazine's The Body Issue.  I know there are obviously no accessories, shoes, or clothes to copy in these pictures, but the inspiration these women provide is immeasurable.  Dedicated, committed, and driven is how these ladies got to be where they are today.

Natasha Hastings is known as "the 400M Diva" for her speed on the track.  She has an Olympic Gold Medal and several World Championships.  She is currently training for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.

Alicia Sacramone is an Olympic Silver Medalist and winner of nine World Championship medals.  She retired in 2008 from elite competition; however, made a comeback in 2010 by leading the US World Championship team overseas to compete.  She solidified her dominance by coming home with a Gold medal in vault and a Silver in team competition.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo apparently waters the lawn in the buff.  Her male neighbors must love when there's been a draught.  

She is the current starting goalkeeper for the US women's national soccer team and also plays for the magicJack of Women's Professional Soccer.  She was an alternate member of the  2004 Olympic team in Athens and the starting goalkeeper in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Although the women's team did not win the World Cup this year, Solo walked away with a "Golden Glove" award for best goalkeeper and the "Bronze Ball" award for overall performance.

Gretchen Bleiler is a professional halfpipe snowboarder with more competition medals to her name than stars in the sky.  She collaborates with Oakley and K2 Snowboarding on outerwear and snowboard design.  

Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore won four world championships on the Women's ASP World Tour in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  She began surfing at 11 and turned pro at age 17.

Sylvia Fowles plays professional basketball for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA.  For being 6'6" and 200 lbs she sure looks graceful planking on a rocky mountaintop.  Sylvia played all four years at LSU and became the sixth woman to dunk in an American college basketball game.

Suzy Hotrod is a member of the Queens of Pain team of Gotham Girls Roller Derby.  A jammer (position played), she is known for the war paint she wears under her eyes and red lipstick.  Her signature move is the Pop Tart.

Check out the rest of the gorgeous photographs at ESPN or in the magazine.