GRONINGEN, The Netherlands, July 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

With the London Games closing in, Dutch photographer Ewoud Broeksma has been inspired to consider the interesting way in which athletes competed in ancient times. As a result, over the past 4 years, Broeksma has portrayed some of the most decorated sportsmen around the world in not much more than their skin; pure.

An exhibition of the photographer's works opens in Groningen, The Netherlands on July 25^th, and a full color calendar/catalog showcasing 16 athletes is on the market, to surprise anyone who is anyone in the world of sports, and probably beyond.

"To keep up the ancient tradition I invited men only, to participate in this endeavour; to my surprise great names were ready to shed all clothes and show off their bodies at the peak of their abilities," Broeksma said.

Most of those portrayed just liked the idea of being "inventoried" at this stage in their career, others had more particular reasons for drawing attention, like Ukranian soccer player Evgeniy Levchenko, who wants to promote "Stichting Breath", his foundation dedicated to helping orphanages in his homeland.

Short track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated winter sportsman of the USA, with 8 medals, and Ethiopian runner and world record holder on the 10k,  Kenenisa Bekele are among the most prominent participants.

German swimmer Stefan Herbst, Canadian short track speed skater and gold medalist Francois Hamelin, and Russian world champion speed skater Ivan Skobrev are all in.

Two remarkable participants in London also gracing the pages of this calendar will be track and field runner Churandy Martina, who finished 2nd in Beijjng 2008 on the 200m (just behind Usain Bolt), and gymnast Epke Zonderland, both representing The Netherlands.

"I also looked for characters outside the regular sport disciplines," Broeksma said, "and during a fashion shoot I learned that Stuart Reardon was not only a fit model for Tunderwear, but also an international rugby player from the UK."

The photographs in both exhibition (male and female) and calendar formats show the beauty of the naked form, purely for the sake of art. A complete list of athletes is available on the website. The press photos are available here: http://www.ewoudbroeksma.com/Content/Press/

All pictures included through the link are free for use in an exhibition and/or calendar context, and where the name of the photographer, Ewoud Broeksma, is mentioned.

If prudent, the images maybe cropped or resized.

No publications in an erotic context.

Information: http://www.broeksma.com

SOURCE Broeksma Fotografie