Ilona Maher and the US girls’s rugby sevens staff made historical past earlier this week by clinching a historic bronze medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After her new-found fame, due to her advocacy for physique positivity and her comedic tackle TikTok, Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit has introduced that Olympian rugby participant and physique positivity advocate Ilona Maher is the brand new cowl mannequin for September 2024.
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‘Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit’ Names September 2024 Cowl Mannequin
Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit shared the most recent journal cowl on their Instagram web page, writing, “After we say #beastbeautybrains THIS is what we imply.”
“At simply 28 years previous, Ilona Maher has already made a reputation for herself each on and off the rugby subject,” they added. “The Vermont native, who led Crew USA to its first bronze #Olympic medal in rugby sevens on the Paris video games earlier this summer time, is breaking the stereotype of what it means to be a feminine athlete. “
Maher has been an enormous advocate for physique positivity, gaining latest fame due to her daring but playful social media movies.
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Ilona Maher Will get Prepared For Bikini Shoot
After being named Sports activities Illustrated‘s newest swimsuit cowl mannequin, the Olympian shared a behind-the-scenes video of her preparation for the shoot. “How I bought able to do a bikini shoot,” she wrote over the video as followers watched her do a number of pull-ups.
“In case you heard me depend solely 4 reps, you’re mistaken. It was truly 400,” she hilariously captioned the video.
The 28-year-old Olympic rugby participant made her debut with a digital cowl for Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit on Wednesday, which editor-in-chief MJ Day describes as “a shift within the narrative.”
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“Ilona’s presence on our cowl symbolizes a shift within the narrative — one which celebrates not solely bodily prowess but in addition the braveness to guide, encourage, and advocate for change,” Day said. “We could not really feel extra excited and impressed by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
“Ilona Maher gracing the duvet of our September digital difficulty is greater than only a celebration of her athletic achievements—it is a highly effective assertion,” she added. “Ilona is a modern-day position mannequin of power, conviction and authenticity whereas on the identical time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human. Her capacity to interrupt limitations, each on and off the sphere, resonates deeply with girls all over the place.”
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Ilona Maher Shares BTS Of ‘Sports activities Illustrated’ Shoot
In one other submit, Maher was seen sitting in a pool, sporting a purple bikini and brilliant purple lipstick, mouthing the phrases, “I’ll not be carrying picture ID. You understand why? Individuals ought to know who I’m.”
“Me now that I am a ‘Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit’ Cowl Mannequin,” she wrote over the video.
Taste Flav noticed the clip and commented, “WE ALL KNOW,” with a number of hearth emojis.
Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit mannequin Katie Austin welcomed Maher to the household. “So comfortable to have you ever within the SI fam your pix are INSANE,” she commented.
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Ilona Maher Opens Up With ‘Sports activities Illustrated’ About Physique Varieties
“I used to be all the time like, , referred to as masculine or no matter,” Maher tells SI in her cowl story. “However I by no means felt that approach. However I do not suppose you are going to bully the woman who may in all probability beat you up in a rage. I like that [rugby] confirmed me what I can do. It confirmed me how succesful my physique is and it isn’t similar to a device to be checked out and objectified.”
She later spoke concerning the difficulty of wage equality between female and male rugby gamers.
“[Men] get to play rugby they usually receives a commission thousands and thousands of {dollars} whereas we make minimal wage and this may not be a profession for us,” she mentioned. “I’ve teammates going into the workforce now, whereas these guys are down there and rugby’s it [for them].”
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Ilona Maher Is A Large Advocate For Physique Positivity
The morning the 2024 Olympics formally started, the skilled rugby participant shared a powerful statement on social media advocating for physique positivity. She pressured the importance of accepting all physique varieties and urged her viewers to embrace and have a good time their distinctive sizes and styles.
“Because the Olympics formally begin immediately, I would like you all to try all of the totally different physique varieties on show,” she started in her video. “All physique varieties matter, all physique varieties are worthy, from the smallest gymnast to the tallest volleyball participant, from a Rugby participant to a shot putter and a sprinter.”
“All physique varieties are stunning and might do superb issues,” she continued. “So actually see your self in these athletes and know that you are able to do it too.”
