Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher is gracing the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit.
The 28-year-old, who led Staff USA to its first Olympic medal in rugby sevens on the 2024 Paris Video games, posed in a fierce bikini on the entrance web page of the journal’s digital September challenge.
Maher stood on what seemed to be a dock along with her fingers behind her head, smiling and sporting a purple lip shade. Together with the quilt picture, Maher was additionally photographed in different footage whereas sporting a royal blue string bikini.
In an interview for the quilt story, Maher shared what rugby taught her about herself.
“I really like that (rugby) confirmed me what I can do,” Maher informed the publication. “It confirmed me how succesful my physique is and it’s not identical to a device to be checked out and objectified.”
MJ Day, editor in chief of Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit, famous her cowl debut is a “celebration of her athletic achievements” and in addition makes for a “highly effective assertion.”
“Ilona is a modern-day function mannequin of power, conviction and authenticity whereas on the identical time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human,” Day stated within the story. “Her capacity to interrupt boundaries, each on and off the sphere, resonates deeply with girls all over the place.”
He continued, “Ilona’s presence on our cowl symbolizes a shift within the narrative — one which celebrates not solely bodily prowess but additionally the braveness to steer, encourage and advocate for change. We couldn’t really feel extra excited and impressed by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Main as much as and all through the Summer time Video games, Maher turned a voice for feminine athletics, psychological well being and humor. On TikTok and Instagram mixed, she at present has over six million followers.
Maher hasn’t been shy about calling out the haters on social media, both.
In a July TikTok video, Maher clapped again at a commenter who wrote that she had a physique mass index (BMI) of 30.
“I believe you had been attempting to roast me, however this really is a reality. I do have a BMI of 30 — properly, 29.3 to be extra actual,” Maher shared on TikTok. “I’ve been thought of chubby my complete life.”
The Olympian shared that she is 5 ft, 10 inches tall and weights 200 kilos, the one two measurements used to calculate BMI. Per the Cleveland Clinic, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is taken into account “chubby” and any quantity 30 and above is “overweight.”
The Cleveland Clinic notes that the quantity is somewhat restricted, although, and identified to be an inaccurate illustration of well being or power, particularly for folks like athletes who’ve extra muscle mass.
“I chatted with my dietitian as a result of I am going off of info and never simply what pops up (in my head) such as you do,” she continued within the video, referring to the commenter. “We talked about how (BMI) actually isn’t useful for athletes.”
“BMI doesn’t actually inform you what I can do. It doesn’t inform you what I do on the sphere, how match I’m,” Maher continued. “It’s only a couple numbers put collectively. It doesn’t inform you how a lot muscle I’ve or something like that. So yeah, I do have a BMI of 30. I’m thought of chubby.”
In her last blast towards the web troll, Maher added, “However alas, I’m going to the Olympics and also you’re not.”
After her main feat for Staff USA, beating Australia to carry residence the nation’s first Olympic medal in rugby sevens, Maher celebrated with an enormous croissant. She posted a video on TikTok of herself consuming the pastry on the streets of Paris, which has since collected hundreds of thousands of views.
“Mmm,” Maher stated within the clip along with her bronze medal dangling from her neck, calling the massive pastry “a bit of deal with, simply one thing to get me going.”