ESPN Body Issue 2012 Online Photo Gallery Launched with Exclusive Photos

ESPN The Magazine revealed an online photo gallery of exclusive extras and behind-the-scenes video of its “Body Issue 2012” on Tuesday, three days before the magazine hits newsstands.

The photo gallery titled “The Bodies We Want” was launched at 12 p.m. EST today featuring high resolution images of world famous athletes with their specialty, age, body statistics and personal views on their bodies. See the photo gallery here.

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The images feature athletes jumping, stretching, pulling, climbing, swimming among other activities.

U.S. women's national soccer forward Abby Wambach tells the magazine:

“Female athletes are getting very, very thin, but I'm a bigger woman. I have bigger muscles, and that's OK. For me, more muscle gives me more power and speed, and I need that."

Apart from featuring the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team naked, the issue also features tennis player Daniela Hantuchova, surfer Maya Gabeira, golfer Suzann Pettersen, WNBA star Candance Parker and mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey are among the female athletes featured in the extras.

Male athletes featured in the extras include Carlos Bocanegra, gymnast Danell Leyva, NBA center Tyson Chandler, NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, New York Rangers Brad Richards, Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista, NFL player Maurice Jones-Drew.

The website also features interviews with some of the stars posing for this year’s issue which marks the fourth issue of the magazine.