Underwater Photos of Athletes

Underwater portraits present both a challenge and an opportunity for enterprising photographers. Here are some sports-related shots that SI.com has gathered, beginning with members of the 2008 USA swim team: (from left): Garrett Weber-Gale, Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres, Aaron Piersol, Katie Hoff, Margaret Hoelzer, Cullen Jones and Natalie Coughlin.

SI Staff | Jul 22, 2014

Underwater Photos of Athletes /

Underwater Photos of Athletes

USA swim team

Members of the 2008 USA swim team: (from left): Garrett Weber-Gale, Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres, Aaron Piersol, Katie Hoff, Margaret Hoelzer, Cullen Jones, Natalie Coughlin.

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal in the pool at Miami's Mandarin Oriental Hotel in 2004.

Lolo Jones

Olympian Lolo Jones in 2012 with the United States flag.

Boxer Wladimir Klischko poses ahead of his unification heavyweight championship fight against Sultan Ibragimov, which took place in 2008.

Rafael Nadal

Clive Brunskill/Exclusive by Getty Images

Tennis pro Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a dive in 2007.

Amanda Beard

U.S. Olympic swimmer and Arizona student Amanda Beard engages in light studying at U of A's Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in 2005. She competed in her fourth consecutive Olympics in 2008, but didn't medal.

Amanda Beard

American swimmer Amanda Beard poses underwater.

Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles plunges for a close-up in 1995.

Michael Phelps

University of Michigan student and Olympian Michael Phelps hangs out in an underwater study lounge in 2005.

Mark Spitz

Mark Spitz blows some bubbles in 1975.

U.S. women's water polo team

The 2000 U.S. women's Olympic water polo team with the flag.

Summer Sanders

Swimmer Summer Sanders before the 1992 Olympic games.

Francisco Pipin Ferreras, Audrey Mestre

The freediving husband and wife team of Francisco Pipin Ferreras and Audrey Mestre in 2000.

Billy May, Kristina Lum

The American sychronized swimming duo of Billy May and Kristina Lum, photographed during practice.

Manuel Estiarte

Water polo player Manuel Estiarte of Spain in 1996.

Tatiana Golovin

Seventeen-year old rising tennis star Tatiana Golovin of France hits a shot underwater in 2005.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh poses during a 2007 portrait session for the NFL Players Association.

Marcus Browne

Boxer Marcus Browne poses for an underwater portrait in 2014.

Chelsea Chenault

Thirteen-year-old American swimming prodigy Chelsea Chenault in 2008.

Chelsea Chenault

Chelsea Chenault in 2008.

Grand Prix swimmers

Swimmers in the warm-up pool look through an underwater window during the championship finals at the USA Swimming Grand Prix 45th Annual Santa Clara International Swim Meet in 2012.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps swims to his computer at Canham Natatorium on the Michigan campus in 2005.

Michael Phelps

U.S. Olympian Michael Phelps takes a dip in his tuxedo in 2008.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps in 2008.

Dara Torres-Gowen

American swimmer Dara Torres-Gowen underwater with the U.S. water polo team in 1994.

Cassie Azevedo

Water polo player Cassie Azevedo of Long Beach State poses during a 2005 portrait session.

Ion Oncescu

Multiple arm wrestling world champion Ion Oncescu (right) arm wrestles underwater in Bucharest 2012.

Rebecca Adlington

World and Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington poses for an underwater portrait during a 2011 photo session in Nottingham, England.

Published Jul 22, 2014

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