Aly Raisman Explains Why She Posed Naked For SI Swimsuit

The star gymnast explained why she posed nude for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

Aly Raisman is featured in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Photos of the star gymnast posing nude in the magazine came out today.

The 23-year-old former United States Olympic star has been speaking out publicly over the last month or so, beginning with her chilling testimony at the hearing of sexual abuser Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. Raisman clearly – and rightly – feels it’s important for women to empower themselves.

Raisman and others, though, have faced some criticism for posing nude. Golfer Paige Spiranac also posed naked in the magazine.

Former ESPN reporter Britt McHenry spoke out on Twitter about women posing nude to “empower” themselves. “Why does a woman have to pose nude to feel “empowered”? Isn’t it more empowering to keep your clothes on, go into an office or classroom like everyone else and excel? #SISwimSuit desperately wanting to compete with IG models with gimmicks,” McHenry tweeted.

Spiranac directly got into it with McHenry on Twitter. She tweeted a bunch about her decision here.

Raisman hasn’t directly responded to McHenry, but she has explained why she decided to pose nude for the magazine. She tweeted a note about her decision today.

“Women do not have to be modest to be respected – live for you!” she wrote. “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.”