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Sports Illustrated's Swims Feature Celebrates Body Positivity with Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Chiles

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 12:40 GMT by Sporting News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Sports Illustrated’s “Swims” Feature Brings a Fresh, Body‑Positive Lens to the Bikini Spotlight

Sports Illustrated’s long‑running “Swims” section is back for a new cycle of swimsuit photography, and this year’s lineup has taken the magazine in a bold, fresh direction. In a feature highlighted by The Sporting News on September 7, 2023, the magazine’s editorial team showcases three of the most compelling athletic stars—Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, and an “up‑and‑coming” athlete who has yet to be named. The article not only highlights the photos themselves but also dives into the message that SI is aiming to send: a celebration of real, healthy bodies and the empowerment that comes with owning them.

The Stars of the Show

Jordan Chiles – The Olympic gold‑medalist in gymnastics (London 2012) has long been an advocate for body positivity and mental health. In the new Swims spread, Chiles is photographed in a series of minimalist, sun‑kissed shots that capture both her signature power and the sensual confidence that has become her trademark. The editorial notes that Chiles is wearing a “clean, pastel‑colored bikini” that lets her body shape and muscle definition shine through. “We wanted to show a different side of Chiles,” the photographer (whose name is omitted in the article) told The Sporting News. “She’s the embodiment of an athlete who’s comfortable in her skin, and that’s exactly what we aimed to capture.”

Alix Earle – The 20‑year‑old basketball player, who was just a freshman on a top‑tier college team, has been turning heads in the sports world for her dynamic play and fierce work ethic. In the Swims spread, Earle is featured in a “bold, neon‑colored bikini” that brings out her muscular shoulders and the sculpted look of a high‑performance athlete. The article notes that Earle’s appearance in the shoot is “a testament to the idea that athleticism and sex appeal can coexist without compromising one for the other.” Earle herself is quoted as saying that the shoot “makes me feel stronger and proud of the body I’ve worked so hard to build.”

The Third Athlete – The third athlete featured in the article is an “up‑and‑coming star” whose name hasn’t been publicly disclosed yet. While the Sporting News article gives no specifics, it hints that this athlete is a rising figure in a sports category that has historically been under‑represented in the Swims section. The intention, according to the magazine’s editor, is to “push the envelope and showcase athletes from a broader spectrum of disciplines.”

The Photo‑Shoot: Where Style Meets Subtext

The “Steamiest Bikini Pics” are not shot in some generic beach setting; instead, the shoot takes place on a dramatic, cliff‑side backdrop that accentuates the athletes’ silhouettes. The photographer’s approach, as described by The Sporting News, is to focus on natural light and simple, uncluttered compositions that highlight the subjects’ bodies as a celebration of form and movement. The article points out that the images feature “soft, warm tones” that add a cinematic feel, yet the athletes’ athletic physiques are front and center.

The editorial team’s choice of outfits—clean lines, vibrant colors, and tasteful cuts—reinforces SI’s stated goal of promoting “body confidence, empowerment, and a healthy sense of self.” “We’re not just about sexy; we’re about strength,” the editor writes. The article emphasizes that the swimsuit shots are meant to be as empowering as they are aesthetic.

The Broader Message: Body Positivity in the Sports World

Sports Illustrated has faced criticism in the past for overly sexualized imagery, and the 2023 Swims cycle is a clear pivot away from that narrative. The Sporting News article points out that SI’s new approach focuses on athletes’ achievements, skillsets, and the stories behind their bodies. Every photograph is paired with a short interview in which the athletes talk about their training, mental health, and what the shoot meant to them personally.

In an era where athletes increasingly use social media to discuss body image, the Swims feature arrives as a timely reminder that physical confidence can coexist with athletic excellence. The article quotes SI’s chief creative officer, who says: “We’re committed to showing a range of body types and celebrating the athleticism that brings them to the forefront. This isn’t just a magazine; it’s a platform for empowerment.”

Links and Context for Further Exploration

The Sporting News article is peppered with links to Sports Illustrated’s official “Swims” website, which hosts the full gallery of photographs. It also includes a link to a past interview with Jordan Chiles on The New York Times where she discussed her mental health journey, providing additional context about her role in the Swims feature.

A second link leads to an SI feature on “Athletes Who Inspire,” which includes a brief profile on Alix Earle’s college basketball career and her community outreach initiatives. Readers can also click through to a dedicated page that lists the “Upcoming Athletes” who have been featured in SI’s recent editorial pieces, offering a glimpse into who might appear in the next Swims cycle.

What This Means for the Future of Sports Media

The article concludes that SI’s revamped Swims section is setting a new standard for how sports media can approach beauty, sexuality, and athleticism. By celebrating athletes as whole individuals—with physical prowess, mental resilience, and personal stories—the magazine is carving out a space where empowerment takes center stage.

For the athletes, the feature offers more than just visibility. It gives them a platform to talk openly about their training regimens, diet, and the mental challenges that come with being a professional athlete. For readers, it offers a fresh, inclusive vision of what it means to be fit and fabulous. And for the broader sports community, it’s a clarion call that the future of representation lies in authenticity and respect.

In a world where “body shaming” and unrealistic standards still lurk in the background, Sports Illustrated’s new Swims cycle offers a breath of fresh air. With Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, and the mystery third athlete leading the charge, SI is proving that the line between athleticism and aesthetics can be walked hand‑in‑hand—celebrated, celebrated, and celebrated again.