'Vogue' cover misses the golden opportunity

It is hard to believe that Vogue, a publication most known for being on trend, could so miss the mark.

The cover of August issue of Vogue features the beautiful and athletic Gigi Hadid, however it is called the Olympic issue, why did the editors not choose to go with a female athlete? Hadid does have an Olympic pedigree as her dad Mohamed Hadid was an Olympic downhill skier in France in 1992, and she is best friends with the daughter of Bruce Jenner, but that does not make her an Olympian.

They did represent men with Ashton Eaton, a reigning champion decathlete also on the cover, but they missed an opportunity to celebrate women athletes with the panache that can only be done by Vogue.

Granted, covers are shot months in advance and it is nearly impossible to predict who would make it to Brazil. The popular gymnastics, track and field and swimming trials just wrapped up, and it would be embarrassing for Vogue to pick an Olympic hopeful to grace the cover only to have her not make it.

However, there are some guesses that are safer bets. Women's basketball stars, tennis players, soccer players and more who would have been appropriate picks for an Olympic issue.

Soccer star Hope Solo, triathlete Gwen Jorgensen or Sue Bird, WNBA All-Star and boxer Claressa Shields, seem like more appropriate picks.

Beach volleyball superstar Kerri-Walsh Jennings has taken the gold with now retired partner Misty May-Treanor since 2004. What are the odds of her not making the team? And with her pregnant pose in ESPN The Magazine Body Issue in 2015, Vogue should have known how glamorous she can be.

Or, if Vogue plans to celebrate the athletes who emerge as America’s sweethearts in a later issue, then perhaps they could have celebrated a former Olympian?

Gigi Hadid is lovely, and definitely cover-worthy, but this issue could have empowered women athletes and instead celebrating a model who happens to be athletic.

An ultimate dream come true, I am beyond humbled. Shooting my first American @voguemagazine cover, in my hometown, was so surreal. And to be able to share it with Olympic Gold Medalist and my new friend #AshtonEaton is such an honor. I couldn't think of a cover I'd rather be on than the one celebrating athletics. Being an athlete has brought so much pride and joy to my life and has instilled the work ethic that still drives me every day. To Anna, @mariotestino, @tonnegood & everyone at Vogue- thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me, teaching me, showing me the world, and being such a pleasure to work with. ❤️ To @luizmattos1906 and my @imgmodels family, I don't thank you guys enough- I appreciate you so much. We did it!!!!!!! This one's dedicated to my biggest inspirations to work hard, my family, to all my coaches throughout my life ???????? and of course to the fans that have stuck by me from the start!!! Feeling extremely blessed. x

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Jul 14, 2016 at 5:49am PDT