“No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training…what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” ~ Socrates

I like Buff Butts and I can not lie:

Nudity doesn’t have to be sexual. It can be beautiful, and inspiring, in the way that Greek and Roman statues were and are.

For all 30 photos: Source: Bodies we Want.

For more: Last year’s Body Issue (warning: everyone’s nekked) is thisaway. And thisaway. And heah. “In what is becoming an annual tradition, ESPN the Magazine has just unveiled the images from their provocative but tasteful body issue. Stripping down and showcasing varying physiques from that of football players, swimmers, boxers, motosports competitors, tennis players and more, the likes of Venus Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Coco Ho, Nigel Sylvester, Megan Rapinoe, Travis Pastrana, Serge Ibaka, Prince Fielder, Ginger Huber, Angel McCoughtry, Michael Phelps, Danyelle Wolf, Omar Gonzalez, Aja Evans, Tomas Berdych, Amy Purdy, Bernard Hopkins, Marshawn Lynch, Jamie Anderson, Hillary Knight, and Jimmy Spithill are all on display in their respective birthday suits.”

Click here for more of Michael Phelps et al in the buff. 

Bonus: The 32 Best Photos Ever From ESPN’s The Body Issue

The 32 Best Photos Ever From ESPN’s The Body Issue

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Relephant:

Buff Athetes get Nude for ESPN.

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Climber Nation, grab a seat: it’s Chris Sharma Nude Alert.

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Before and After: An Olympian Pregnancy. {Photos}

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End of summer bonus: