'I've learned to love my muscles': Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman flaunts her flexible physique as she poses naked in stunning ESPN shoot

• The 21-year-old was just 18 when she competed for Team USA in the 2012 Olympics in London
• Aly, who is currently working towards qualifying for the 2016 Games in Rio, won three medals at the 2012 Games, two golds, and one bronze
• After competing at the Olympics, Aly went on to take part in the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2013

By Valerie Siebert For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:18 EST, 2 July 2015 | Updated: 06:19 EST, 3 July 2015

A gymnast's body is often one of the most battered, bruised and overworked within the world of sport - but that doesn't mean it can't be displayed with pride.

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, 21, who won three medals for Team USA at the 2012 Games, has once again solidified her title as one of the country's top athletes, as she joins a host of sportsmen and women in posing nude for ESPN's famous Body issue, showing off her incredibly muscular form while taking on tough gymanstic poses - all while in the buff.

'Instead of being insecure about my muscles, I've learned to love them,' Aly told the magazine. 'I don't even think of it as a flaw anymore because it's made me into the athlete that I am.' 

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Showing off: 21-year-old Gymnast Aly Raisman, who won two gold and one bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, posed nude in ESPN The Magazine's upcoming Body Issue

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Talented: Aly was only 18 when she gained fame for her incredible skill at the Games, landing three medals for the Floor, Balance Beam and Team events

'You can always spot the gymnast,' Aly, who competed in the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars after she returned from London, added. 'They are so ripped and so strong. Even if I was just wearing a T-shirt, my arms would just be more muscular than other girls'. If we were playing sports, I would just crush them.'

ESPN's The Body Issue, which debuted in 2009, features interviews alongside stunning nude photography and has since become one of the most prestigious media events for world-class athletes. 

Previous issues have featured swimming champions Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, tennis stars Venus Williams and Serena Williams, and soccer player Hope Solo.

Now Aly, who won the gold for Floor Exercise and the London 2012 Olympics, is joining the list of high-achievers by losing her ever-present leotard and posing on a balance beam - which is actually a bugbear piece of equipment for Aly.  

Although she won the bronze in the individual event at the Games, a mistake on her Beam routine during the All-Around competition cost Aly, then 18, a medal. 

 

Gymnast Aly Raisman shows off her incredible skills

 

 

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Joining the ranks: Aly is one of several top athletes posing in the buff for the magazine issue, which has previously included sport stars like Michael Phelps and Venus Williams

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Eye on the prize: The Olympic gymnast missed out on the medal podium at the 2012 Games after being marked down on her balance beam routine

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 Beaming: Despite the All-Around disappointment, Aly did pick up the gold medal for the Floor event

Speaking to the magazine, Aly revealed that this fact has somewhat taken away from her other Olympic triumphs thanks to her perfectionist nature.

'That kind of pisses me off -- I always think that it's never good enough. I almost fell and put my hand down; it was stupid, I never make that mistake on the beam,' she said. 

'I'll have a second chance at it, but I think about it all the time. I wish I didn't have to learn that valuable lesson at the Olympics.'

Elsewhere in the interview Aly also reveals how she once 'pulled a Jennifer Lawrence' by taking a tumble down the stairs at the Golden Globes.

'I'm really clumsy,' she said. 'I can do anything on a 4-inch-wide beam, but when I walk down the street in sneakers, I'll trip and fall on my face.'  

Aly also took home the Team gold along with teammates - the other members of the team, christened the 'Fierce Five' - Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross.

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Fierce Five: Aly (second from right) also picked up the Team gold alongside USA teammates Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas (L-R)

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A change of scene: During her time off from competition following the 2012 Games, Aly competed on the 2013 season of Dancing With the Stars

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Treading the boards: Aly and her Dancing With the Stars partner Mark Ballas (pictured) placed fourth in the competition

Unfortunately the Fierce Five will not be reuniting in 2016, as Jordyn decided to retire after withdrawing from competition following the 2012 Games. Even though she gained the Team gold, Jordyn suffered a grave disappointment at the Games when she failed to make the All-Around final after being beaten by two of her teammates, despite going into the competition as World Champion.

Coming back to competition after the Games did not come easy to Aly either, as she explained to the magazine. 

'After 2012, I took a full year off. Gabby and I did. We needed a break,' she said. 'It's just repetitions after repetitions. There's no offseason. But at the same time, you always have to keep your goals in the back of your mind.'

During that year off, Aly enjoyed her fame and endorsements, and even competed on the 2013 season of Dancing With the Stars, coming fourth overall.   

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3147848/I-ve-learned-love-muscles-Olympic-gold-medal-winning-gymnast-Aly-Raisman-flaunts-flexible-physique-poses-naked-stunning-ESPN-shoot.html#ixzz3ephn8MQZ
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