One of Iowa's most famous athletes debated her clothes-not-optional involvement in ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue," which is set to hit newsstands on Friday.
Lolo Jones, an Olympic hurdler from Des Moines, is proud of the sweat and effort that led to her world-class, athletic shape.
Jones worries, however, about how the project, which includes a range of birthday-suit-wearing athletes, will reflect on her. What's too much nudity? What are the right and wrong kinds of nudity?
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In the end, she decided that a photo showing her semi-buff, from the side, was OK, even if it made her uncomfortable.
"(Sunglasses maker and sponsor) Oakley actually contacted me about it. They asked me if I'd be interested in doing something like that," Jones said. "Pose naked? No way. I'm a very strong Christian. That's against my morals."
When reminded by sponsors that ESPN is ultimately part of the wholesome-imaged Disney Corporation and being assured she would be able to help choose the final photograph, Jones relented.
ESPN representatives said the issue will examine issues from "genetic mapping, athletes' use of sexuality to promote themselves, a first-hand look at an athlete's ACL surgery, insuring the athletic body" and how video game companies research bodies for products.
More than 80 athletes are featured, from NASCAR's Carl Edwards to tennis star Serena Williams.
Jones gritted her teeth, shed clothes and hoped it remained in good taste.
"I wasn't comfortable," Jones, 27, said of the photo shoot inside a building in New Orleans famous French Quarter district. "Posing naked — I don't even like being naked at the doctor's office."
Photos originally were scheduled to be shot in Greece, where Jones was set to run as part of the elite circuit in which she competes.
Jones was injured, however, which forced the shooting to the beginning of September in New Orleans — relatively near her current home of Baton Rouge
"There was another photo that was very cool where you could see how hard I worked for those muscles," Jones said. "The problem was, that photo didn't portray the message I want to send."
There is a message Jones hopes to reinforce, though.
"You can be strong and beautiful, but don't need to be 110 pounds," she said. "I can never be one of those runway types because I'm like 160 — even though I might look like I'm 120 or so. You don't have to be a certain way."
The magazine elevated Jones to the most elite group involved in the project — 21 featured in the "Bodies We Want" section.
"Another thing that comes with my sport: I have a whole bunch of scars on my leg, muscles in weird places," she said. "So to be one of best (Bodies We Want), if that's the case, that's pretty cool."
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