Here's What Happens When Athletes Strip Down To Just Body Paint For The SI Swimsuit Issue

One of the coolest features in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is the body paint.

This year, SI asked several female athletes to strip down, get a bathing suit painted on them, and pose for the camera.

For a model, this is just another day of work, but it was a completely new thing for the athletes.

Take a look at what it was like for soccer player Alex Morgan, golfer Natalie Gulbris, and swimmer Natalie Coughlin to model in paint for the day.

Soccer star Alex Morgan said she was really excited to pose for SI in body paint. She likes how you can be revealing, but are still completely covered up

All of that paint is going to turn into Morgan's bathing suit

The whole painting process takes about 12 hours. For Morgan's suit they painted a white base and the color pattern over it

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