The latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has seen some departures from the norm, and the general consensus is that they are all extremely worthwhile.
Firstly, the issue has included unedited photographs of models, a practice that will surely give heart to body-conscious individuals the world over. We are so used to being bombarded with touched up visions of 'perfection' on the covers of glossy magazines and the filtered world of Instagram that it is extremely heartening to see a publication subvert convention and show us a closer resemblance of reality.
We have already heard from
Genie Bouchard, who shared her dad's, actually rather sweet, reaction to her steamy photoshoot for the magazine, while shocking footage also depicted supermodel Kate Upton being washed from a rock by a large wave - thankfully she was unharmed.
Now, Olympic gold medalist and all round incredible human being Aly Raisman has shared her own photograph from the swimsuit issue, with an incredibly important and powerful message. Here's what she had to say;
"
Women do not have to be modest to be respected-- Live for you! Everyone should feel comfortable expressing themselves, however, makes them happy. Women can be intelligent, fierce, sexy, powerful, strong, advocate for change while wearing what makes them feel best. The time where women are taught to be ashamed of their bodies is OVER. The female body is beautiful and we should all be proud of who we are, inside and out. Thank you so much @si_swimsuit@mj_day @darciebaum @ja_neyney@taylorbphoto & the rest of the team."
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She went into even more depth in her interview with Sports Illustrated, adding;
"I would like to remind everyone that being a survivor is nothing to be ashamed of, and going through a hard time does not define you.
"I hope that we can one day get to a point where everyone realizes that women do not have to be modest to be respected. We are free to draw confidence and happiness in our own way, and it is never for someone else to choose for us or to even judge us for that matter. For me, 'In Her Own Words' serves as a reminder that we are all humans, we are all battling something, and it is ok to not be ok. We are not alone and we need each other."
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Aly Raisman had been a significant voice in the trial of disgraced Olympic gymnast doctor
Larry Nassar. In her testimony against Nassar, Raisman said;
“How do you sleep at night? You are the person they had ‘take the lead on athlete care.’ I cringe to think your influence remains in the policies they [USA Gymnastics] claim will make athletes safe.
“I will not rest until every last trace of the influence you had on this sport has been destroyed like the cancer it is.”
The doctor has since been given a prison sentence that stretches over more than 100 years for his crimes.
