“All we actually have is our body and its muscles that allow us to be under our own power,” wrote Allegra Kent in her 1997 autobiography, “Once A Dancer.”

No one understands the meaning of these words more than athletes do -- the women who use their bodies to power their livelihoods. Title IX, the legislation that made it illegal for women to be denied participation in sports on the basis of gender, turned 40 on June 23rd and the London Olympics begin next month. There’s no better time than the present to celebrate these women and all of the incredible things that their bodies allow them to do.

We dare you not to appreciate the female body more after looking at these 21 photos -- even those bodies that don't belong to professional athletes.

LOOK: 21 Amazing Photos Of Female Athletes

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  • Margo Oberg

    Margo Oberg is a three-time world surfing champion from the United States. She won her first world title in 1977, then won back-to-back titles in 1980 and 1981.

  • Serena Williams

    Serena Williams returns a ball against Danish Caroline Wozniacki during their match of the Madrid Masters on May 10, 2012 at the Magic Box (Caja Magica) sports complex in Madrid. Williams won 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

  • Jenny Thompson

    U.S. swimmer Jenny Thompson from Dover, N.H. practices with paddles 24 July 1992. Thompson is favored to win several gold medals during the women's individual events.

  • Mia Hamm

    USA woman's soccer player Mia Hamm prepares to center the ball during a practice session at Rice Eccles Olympic Stadium 13 June 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The US will play Ireland in a friendly match 14 June, 2003, in Salt Lake City.

  • Gracia Leydon-Mahoney

    Gracia Leydon-Mahoney competes in the women's 10-meter platform final at the U.S. Olympic diving trials, Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Federal Way, Wash.

  • Brittney Griner and Chiney Ogwumike

    Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears reaches for a rebound in the second half against Chiney Ogwumike #13 of the Stanford Cardinal during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

  • Mary Lou Retton

    Mary Lou Retton during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles where she took first overall.

  • Elena Hight

    Elena Hight practices for the ladies snowboard halfpipe finals during the U.S. Snowboarding and Freeskiing Grand Prix on March 3, 2012 in Mammoth, California. Hight went on to win the event.

  • Gail Devers

    At the World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, in Seville, Spain, 1999.

  • Julie Zetlin

    US athlete Julie Zetlin performs with the ribbon in the qualifying round during the 31st Rythmic Gymnastics World Championships on September 22, 2011 in Montpellier, southern France.

  • Michelle Kwan

    Michelle Kwan competes in the short program during the State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships January 8, 2004 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • April Ross

    April Ross dives for a ball during the AVP Hermosa Beach Open at the Hermosa Beach Pier on July 17, 2010 in Hermosa Beach, California.

  • Laila Ali and Shelley Burton

    Laila Ali (R) of the US gets caught by a punch from Shelley Burton of the US during their WBC Super Middleweight Championship fight, 11 November 2006, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

  • Emily Jackson

    Emily Jackson competes in the women's K1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials for Whitewater Slalom at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on April 14, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Danielle Carruthers

    Danielle Carruthers competes in the women's 100 meter hurdles semi-final during Day Two of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 23, 2012 in Eugene, Oregon.

  • Neva Day

    Neva Day of the USA in action during qualifying for the Women's Indiviual Pursuit at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classic at the Manchester Velodrome on February 24, 2007 in Manchester, England.

  • USA Team Synchro Swimmers

    USA team synchro swimmers perform 24 March 2007 at the Susie O'Neill pool in Melbourne during the team free routine final of the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships. Russia won gold in the event with Spain taking silver and Japan the bronze. USA placed fifth.

  • Hyleas Fountain

    Hyleas Fountain of United States competes in the shot put in the women's heptathlon during day three of the 13th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Daegu Stadium on August 29, 2011 in Daegu, South Korea.

  • Michelle Wie

    Michelle Wie hits a shot during the first round of the LPGA LOTTE Championship Presented by J Golf at the Ko Olina Golf Club on April 18, 2012 in Kapolei, Hawaii.

  • Lindsey Vonn

    Lindsey Vonn of US competes during the women's first run of Alpine skiing World Cup slalom final in Schladming on March 17, 2012.

  • Florence Griffith-Joyner

    Florence Griffith-Joyner won three Olympic gold medals at the Seoul Games in 1988.