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.Adam van Koeverden won two canoeing medals -- gold in the 500-meter and bronze in the 1000m -- at the Athens Olympics in '04, surprising many sports fans who didn't even realize medals were awarded for canoeing (commonly known by the less woodsy-sounding term "flatwater racing"). As the Beijing Games near, he represents one of Canada's brightest medal hopes.
Van Koeverden was named Canada's Athlete of the Year in 2004, was the most dominant athlete in his sport in 2007, and -- just for good measure -- finished at the top of his class at McMaster University.
And oh yeah, he's considered attractive, if you're into that whole "ruggedly handsome college valedictorian world-class athlete" cliche. But how attractive? After the jump, weigh more evidence of his rippling biceps -- again, IF you like that kind of thing -- and have your voice heard in FanHouse's Attractive Olympian poll.
Breaking Down the Basics
| Age | 26 |
| Height | 5'11" |
| Weight |
187 |
| Home province |
Ontario |
| Hobbies | Cliff jumping, mountain biking, snowboarding, injecting adrenaline DIRECTLY INTO HIS VEINS |
| Does he blog? | Yes, for Sportsnet |
| Different names for his sport | "Canoe-Kayak," "Sprint Kayak," "Flatwater Racing," "Please Don't Make Fun of Canoes" |
Presentation of Medals
*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of Calvin Klein underwear-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
