BRISTOL, Connecticut, June 25. THOUGH ESPN didn’t recognize aquatic sports in yesterday’s announcement of the ESPY nominations, the sports media entity is making up for it by featuring Michael Phelps in its annual “ESPN The Magazine Body Issue.”
No word on how Phelps was photographed, but fans will get the opportunity to see firsthand when the issue hits stands July 11. The annual issue draws a lot of conversation, as it features athletes posing nude or nearly nude with their genitals — and in the case of the women, their breasts — strategically covered.
This is not the first time a swimmer has been a part of the issue. Ryan Lochte posed in a swimsuit in the debut issue in 2009. Jeff Farrell, who won two gold medals at the 1960 Olympics, posed for the issue at 73 years old in 2010. In that same issue, members of the USA Water Polo team posed underwater and in a collage photo.
Venus Williams is another notable sports celebrity who will appear in the 2014 issue. Phelps and Williams are two of the 22 athletes whose bodies will be on full display in the popular issue.