GOING NAKED AS CAREER MOVE

Some Olympians sign on to sell a sexualized image of themselves. Australian swimming gold-medalist, Stephanie Rice, appears in a steamy photo shoot in the August issue of the Aussie edition of lad mag, FHM, and has appeared in playfully provocative ads for underwear brand Davenport with her ex-boyfriend, fellow swimmer Eamon Sullivan. Amanda Beard bared all (almost) for Playboy last July, appearing on the cover and in a multi-page photo spread, topless and wearing a metal-mesh g-string. In an interview with the Associated Press, Beard acknowledged the flak she would receive, but defended her decision. "It's just a business decision, a career decision," she says. "I'm healthy. I work out like crazy. I'm not one of those people that's partying wee into the hours. This, I think, is a better role model than most."

-Newsweek
Oct 10 2008