Sports Illustrated and Dove are rewriting the narrative of athletic representation with Sports reIllustrated. It's a special edition that puts young female athletes in the spotlight, including 10-year-old wrestler Honor Smoke as the youngest cover athlete in the magazine's history. The initiative tackles a sobering reality: 48% of girls abandon sports after being told they have the 'wrong' body type. Through vivid profiles of ten diverse young athletes, from basketball players to para-athletes, the special edition aims to expand the visual narrative of what athletes look like.
This collaboration extends beyond the printed page, linking to Dove's Body Confident Sport program, a scientifically-backed coaching tool for girls aged 11–17. With backing from athletes like Billie Jean King, Venus Williams and Sabrina Ionescu, the initiative bridges the gap between media representation and practical support. Sports reIllustrated launched strategically ahead of the Super Bowl, appearing online on 3 February 2025 and as a dedicated section in Sports Illustrated's March 2025 issue.
