What is it about athletes that they seem to get naked more than any other profession? Perhaps it's their heightened attention to their bodies, or maybe it's their blasé attitude toward public nudity, thanks to the locker room ethos. Let's review some highlights through the years.

Even with sex-hungry Hollywood actors, scandalous politicians, and hard partying musicians, athletes win the championship for Most Often Seen Naked. Stripped jock photos come in five forms: the locker room candid, the on-the-field exposure, the posed pictorial, the self-portrait, and occasionally a paparazzi shot. Our favorite type is the candid because it fulfills the locker room fantasy gay men have had since the days of the Greek gymnasium.

With rare exceptions, the vast majority of nude athletes come from Europe. French and British soccer and rugby stars must be the randiest men on the planet, with some Latin American's following behind. Americans only occasionally pop up (or out), like martial artist Tito Ortiz, or former Giants quarterback Riley Skinner (above). They say fashion starts in Europe before reaching America. May the same happen with the Naked Jock Craze.

So, stand up, sing the National Anthem, and settle into a rousing match of athletic nudity. Which nation will win the World Protective Cup? (Note: Click "Expand" in the lower right corner of each photo for the full view.)

· Exposed sportsmen: il punto della situazione! (ilpornogay.com)

Alexis Driollet—French Rugby Player
Christophe Moni—French Rugby Player
Deniz Mehmet—Turkish Soccer Player

Fabien Pelous—French Rugby Player
We're unsure who these studs are, but know for fact they're sexy as all hell.
Unsure. We think Gianluca Vialla—Italian Soccer Player. Can anyone verify for us?
John Eales—Former Australian Rugby Player. This pic is a classic!
Pedro Contreras—Former Spanish Soccer Player
Tim Oakes—the infamous and the large.