Getting Pumped for the Olympics!

It's that time.  Time for top athletes from around the world to gather and compete.  From speed skating to biathalon, hockey to snowboarding and luge...there's something for everyone at the Winter Olympics, which starts on February 7th .  In that vein, we here at the ShockYard came across an amazing photo essay on Olympic athletes by Howard Schatz from his book, Athlete.  

These fascinating pictures capture the amazing variety in body types of peak performance athletes.

From tiny and flexible for gymnastics to bulky and ripped for weight lifting. 
 All of these people are exceptionally strong even if they look very different because the demands of their sport defines how their muscles are distributed.

You can see more photos by clicking this link. 
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/howard-schatz-beverly-ornstein-athlete

Also consider checking out Cory Layman's companion project "Body by Derby" inspired by Howard Schatz's work.  "The goal is to show the different body types of active skaters and the physical effects derby has on the players.  The main focus of the pictures will be on the form and definition and to show the shapes of derby athletes.  The ultimate goal is to show all of the different shapes and forms a derby athlete can take on on the journey of being a strong, capable skater."
 http://therollergirlproject.blogspot.com/search/label/Body%20By%20Derby

Naptown Roller Girls - 2013, Indianapolis, IN

Roller Girls of Central Kentucky - 2013, Lexington, KY

Bleeding Heartland Roller Derby - 2012, Bloomington, IN