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Lindsey Vonn, Caroline Wozniacki, and Ronda Rousey Posed in Body Paint for ‘Sports Illustrated’

Female athletes, despite their proficiency in their chosen sport, rarely receive the attention and celebrity they deserve. Serena Williams might make millions from sponsorships and tournament wins, yet she still doesn’t get nearly the amount of respect she probably should. And her peers, from those Williams challengers on the court to the U.S. Women’s World Cup champions, and every other sport from bobsledding to pole vaulting (if they’re in the Olympics, they count), could do with some more credit. Because on top of being at, well, the top of their game, these athletes are also beautiful — and some even dare to pose for Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue — wearing nothing but body paint.

Ronda Rousey, professional mixed martial artist, is featured on one of SI’s three covers, appearing to wear a beaded one-piece (yet really wearing nothing at all). Lindsey Vonn, gold-medal-winning skiier, stripped down for the magazine, shedding her winter uniform. Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams’s friend and competitor, did so as well.

Now, perhaps the next time an anti-feminist dares to doubt the prowess of a female professional athlete, she or he can just imagine Andy Murray, Tom Brady, or LeBron James posing in similar positions. Now that would be a sight. This shoot surely gives a whole new meaning to “anything you can do, I can do better.”

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