ESPN Body Issue 2011: Why Hope Solo Was Perfect Athlete for Cover

The U.S. Women’s National Team has arguably had the best year representing our country as far as any teams or athletes go.

This was commemorated by ESPN by using arguably the best women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo for the cover of their Body Issue.

For those that do not know, the ESPN Body Issue is the magazine's way of competing with Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.

It differs because it praises both the men’s and women’s body and it features only athletes from a wide range of sports.

Solo was the perfect cover because she is an athlete that is known on the international stage for playing the most popular sport in the world.

She is a great representation of the will to succeed.

She single-handedly saved the U.S. during the Women’s World Cup. Her stops are one-on-one and she is the last line of defense.

Her team’s run deserved a tribute and her personal strength and ability also deserved its own tribute.

Solo also is a good representation of beauty. She is a full-figured muscular athlete.

In the entertainment business today, the women’s body is normally not commemorated for being a strong body.

Many models that are representative of beauty are women that look frail and having a woman like Solo on the cover is a breath of fresh air.

ESPN also put her in an active pose that was representative of the athlete she is.

While many may argue that there were more flattering pictures within the pages of the magazine, the cover commemorated her for the professional athlete she is and that is what a sports magazine should truly do.