Paralympic stars bare all in nude shoot to smash stereotypes ahead of the Rio Games

TENNIS star Jordanne Whiley strips off to smash stereotypes about Paralympians.

The ace, 24, of Halesowen, West Mids, will compete at next week’s Rio Games despite brittle bone disease.

She told Sport magazine: “I wanted to show people you can do beautiful shoots without being a tall model.

“That’s quite obvious. I’m short, I’m disabled and I’m nowhere near perfection. But I’m very comfortable in my skin.

“I’m healthy and I think that’s what women should strive for – athletes are great role models. Role models should be real people, too. I’m flawed, I’m a normal person.”

Powerlifter Ali Jawad, 27, will also be representing Team GB at the Games.

He told the magazine: “The emphasis in my event is on bench press. It’s an all-body movement, so you need all-around strength. Not having legs means it’s twice as hard because I don’t have that plant on the floor.

“My core has to be stronger than the average person, and my back has to be strong to support the weight. My best bench is 202kg, which is almost three and a half times my bodyweight of 58kg. If I hit that in Rio, I’ll be looking at a medal.”

Others to look out for in Rio are swimmer and ex-soldier Lewis Edwards, 27, and sprinter Bethany Woodward, 23.

Sport magazine will feature a striking nude image of a sportsperson each week over the duration of the Paralympics.