Ilona Maher Makes Cover Debut on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition – Hollywood Life
Ilona Maher has already established herself as a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the rugby field.
Adding to her list of accomplishments, the Olympian shines brightly on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s digital September issue.
In the words of SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day, “Ilona’s presence on our cover represents a shift in the narrative, one that celebrates not only physical strength but also the courage to lead, inspire, and advocate for change. We are thrilled and inspired by this groundbreaking athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Maher now joins the ranks of Livvy Dunne, Angel Reese, and Naomi Osaka as athletes who have graced the pages of Sports Illustrated in recent years.
According to Day, “Ilona Maher featuring on the cover of our September digital issue is not just a celebration of her athletic achievements, but a powerful statement.”
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!! @ilona_maher pic.twitter.com/zyrkm2yySj
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor’s Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) August 28, 2024
With a massive following of 3.8 million on Instagram, the 28-year-old was a standout at the 2024 Games, with her TikTok videos from the Olympic Village consistently garnering over 100k likes. One video in particular, where Maher confidently addressed a commenter regarding her BMI, went viral.
Responding to the comment in a video that received millions of views, Maher said, “I do have a BMI of 30. Well, 29.3 to be exact.”
Known for her social media presence, Maher continues to advocate for women in sports and challenge stereotypes surrounding female athletes.
In an interview with SI, Maher discussed her experience in rugby and how it has shaped her perception of herself and her body.
Additionally, Maher addressed the issue of salary disparity between male and female rugby players, highlighting the challenges faced by female athletes in the sport.
“[Men] get paid millions to play rugby, while we make minimum wage. This won’t be a long-term career for us,” Maher expressed her frustration with the inequality in the sport.