Leryn Franco, Olympics Today - Playboy Tomorrow?

When the 2008 Olympic javelin competition took place August 19, hearts broke around the world for Paraguay's sizzling javelin thrower, Leryn Franco.

In her spare time, the leggy Leryn, 26, is a bikini contestant and model. In 2006, she was the runner-up in the Miss Paraguay contest and Miss Bikini Universe pageant.

Franco also competed at the 2004 Athens summer Olympics, where she placed 42nd overall. Leryn's personal best throw is 55.38 meters, achieved in May 2007.

Franco was born 1982 in Asunción, Paraguay. Her full name is Leryn Dahiana Franco Stenery, and she's 5'8" tall and 123 lbs. In 1998, Franco set the Paraguayan national records for javelin and triple jump in the under-17 age group. In 2001, Leryn won the South American Junior Championship for javelin. She has competed in javelin and track since she was a teen. Leryn Franco

While Franco enjoys sport and competing, her athletic good looks have also enabled her to earn extra money by modeling. "Modeling is a way for me to continue with my sport," Franco said. "The hours are flexible, and you can earn good money through photographic modeling and the catwalk."

Don't be surprised if Playboy magazine comes knocking once they get an eyeful of the stunning brunette. These days, sex appeal and sport have become an irresistible marketing combination, and one that athletes are no longer shy of using to finance their athletic careers.

Recent examples of world-class athletes who posed nude for Playboy are American Olympic swimming champ Amanda Beard and former Olympic gold medalist (in figure skating) Katarina Witt, who posed in 1988. Recently, tennis star Ashley Harkleroad also posed nude for the mag.

While sex appeal doesn't guarantee lucrative athletic endorsements, it definitely helps. For example, retired tennis player Anna Kournikova was able to parlay her good looks into lucrative endorsements, while soccer star David Beckham has become a global brand by marrying his sex appeal with his super-athletic skills.

"Ultimately it does not get away from the fact that you have to be an athlete first and a beauty second," said Richard Deitsch, an associate editor at Sports Illustrated. "But when you have someone who is fantastic at both, then you are looking at a global brand."