Natalie Coughlin

Here’s a sneak preview of bodypainted swimmer Natalie Coughlin in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue (here’s the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue) hitting newsstands, SI.com/Swimsuit, tablets and iPhones on Tuesday.

Along with LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis and soccer star Alex Morgan, Coughlin posed nude — with the exception of carefully applied bodypaint.

“It feels like something in between a swimsuit — and being naked,” says Coughlin about the bodypainting experience.

The three-time gold medalist says she “jumped” at the chance to pose in bodypaint. It took 11 hours to apply, while Coughlin stood the whole time.

“I wasn’t really nervous about that aspect of it at all. I was just so honored that they thought of me.”

She’s happy she posed for what she considers an “iconic” franchise. “It’s awesome to be able to say I have done a Swimsuit Issue. When I’m old and wrinkly and out of shape, I’ll be very, very proud of that.”

SI’s Jimmy Traina already unveiled preview pics of Morgan posing in bodypaint.

Coughlin says she hopes more female athletes pose for the issue, which is read by 70 million adults.

“As beautiful as the supermodels are, I think it’s great to have different types of bodies,” she says. “To have an athletic body in SI Swimsuit Issue, I think, is really important. SI is a sports magazine in the first place. So it’s nice to have balance between models and athletes.”

Kate Upton was unveiled as cover model during a taping of CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman in New York on Monday night. This year’s issue will feature 18 models and three male athletes: Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, NBA star Chris Paul; and tennis star Rafael Nadal.

Original Article: USA Today - February 14, 2012