Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.Rhythmic gymnastics is relatively straightforward: competitors perform a routine with a ball, hoop, rope, set of clubs (not flaming, sadly), or ribbon, and the winner is rewarded with fresh smelt at the far end of the pool.
One rhythmic gymnast favored for a gold smelt at the Beijing Olympics is Anna Bessonova, a bronze medalist (smeldalist?) at the 2004 Games in Athens. More recently, Bessonova -- the daughter of a pro soccer player father and rhythmic gymnast mother -- won gold at the World Championships in 2007, positioning herself to take the place of retired rhythmic queen (and Vladimir Putin trophy wife) Alina Kabaeva.
More importantly, though: is Bessonova attractive? Some people's heartbeats quicken at the mere mention of the phrase "rhythmic gymnast;" others harbor lifelong grudges against Ukrainians for their traditional role as villains in Hollywood films. After the jump, weigh photographic and YouTubic evidence, then cast your vote.
Breaking Down the Basics
| Full name |
Ganna Volodymyriivna Bezsonova |
| Nickname (much needed) |
Anya |
| Height | 5'7" |
| Weight |
110 |
| Age |
23 |
| Her calendar |
Twelve months sexy flexibility |
| Favorite apparatus | In truth, it's the hoop, though I passed on several "club" and "ball" jokes |
Presentation of Medals
*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of GoDaddy.com-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.
Attractive Olympians
Maria Sharapova This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.
Brad Barket/Getty Images for IMG
Laure Manaudou: The French swimmer and Gold medal winner in the 400m freestyle holds the world records for the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle.
Getty Images
Anna Bessonova Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast won bronze at the 2004 games and earned gold at the World Championships in '07.
TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP/Getty Images
Demetrius Andrade The reigning world AIBA boxing champion at 152 pounds, Andrade was a Golden Glove winner in '06 and '07.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Alicia Sacramone: A member of the United States gymnastics team since 2003, Sacramone has earned seven medals from three world championships.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Ana Ivanovic: Serbian tennis player reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open final.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Apolo Anton Ohno: U.S. short track speed skater won TV's Dancing With the Stars, and has earned five Olympic medals, including gold in the 500m at the 2006 games.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Kris Freeman: Competed for the U.S. Ski Team in cross country at the 2002 and '06 games, finishing 14th in Salt Lake City.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
James Blake: No. 9 pro tennis player in the world says he plans to represent the U.S. at the Beijing games.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2008 @ 5:42PM
James Mirando said...
If you want beauty, look at the 1964 Olympic Womens figure skating champion. No one, not one one, can beat Peggy Fleming.
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