Two French Olympic swimmers have posed as an ‘imaginary’ gay couple in a campaign against homophobia.

Florent Manadou, who won the gold medal for 50m freestyle in the London 2012 Olympics, and Frédérick Bousquet, a world record holder for freestyle swimming, posed in the intimate photoshoot.

Started by photographer Olivier Ciappa, the campaign is called ‘imaginary couples’.

The pictures capture two men or two women in an intimate moment.

Describing the pitch he made to the two swimmers, Ciappa said: ‘You’re with the person you love. Not a man, not a woman.

‘Then, at the session, I disappear, for they are one with each other.’

In real life, Bousquet is in a relationship with Manadou’s sister Laure.

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria and Belgian-Italian singer Lara Fabian have also posed as a couple for the campaign.

It is one of the first times celebrities have taken a stand during the gay marriage debate.

If you would like to see other pictures from the campaign, go onto Ciappa’s Facebook here. The photos will be on exhibit in Paris until 2 July.