Dove and Sports Illustrated launch special sports issue to elevate girls' body confidence in sports

Beauty brand Dove, the provider of self-esteem education globally, and Sports Illustrated, a player in sports journalism, have partnered to release the first-ever Sports reIllustrated, a special edition celebrating young female athletes breaking barriers to compete on their own terms.

Featuring the youngest athlete ever to appear on a Sports Illustrated promotional cover – 10-year-old Honor Smoke – the collection of stories, which profiles 10 inspiring young athletes, will be available online February 3, distributed in New Orleans ahead of the Big Game, and will run as a special section in the magazine's March issue.

Underscoring Dove's commitment to keep girls in sports, Sports reIllustrated aims to demonstrate that athleticism comes in all shapes, sizes and abilities, and inspire a new generation of girls to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions with confidence.

The special edition coincides with Dove's Big Game spot, and brings attention to the Dove Body Confident Sport program, a scientifically proven coaching tool to build body confidence in 11-17-year-old girls and keep girls thriving in sports.

Marcela Melero, Chief Growth Officer, Dove Personal Care North America: "At Dove, we know the prevalence of body talk in sports - which often focuses on appearance over ability - harms girls' body confidence. With 48% of girls who drop out of sports being told they have the wrong body type, it's time to inspire change, not just in how we see young athletes, but in how we speak to them. As the leader in self-esteem and body confidence education, Dove is excited to partner with a major titan in sports media to change the game and help give girls the confidence they need to thrive playing the sports they love."

Stephen Cannella, Editor in Chief, Sports Illustrated: "As a publication deeply committed to storytelling that showcases the power and impact athletes at all levels can have, Sports Illustrated is proud to partner with Dove, a brand dedicated to championing girls and women of all ages. By re-illustrating what it looks like to be an athlete, we hope we can inspire readers to rethink how we see and support the young athletes in our lives."

Spotlighting athletes from across Dove's network of Body Confident Sport partners, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Women's Sports Foundation, the magazine celebrates the stories of 10 young female athletes across the US, inspiring a new generation of girls to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions with confidence.

Smoke: “I have seen so many of the athletes I look up to on the cover of magazines, so when my mom told me I’d be on the cover of Sports reIllustrated I was so happy. Wrestling is a huge part of who I am, and I have even inspired my two younger sisters to play. I hope that this magazine encourages even more girls to believe in themselves and stay in the game."

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