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OLYMPIC Rugby Sevens sensation Ilona Maher is set to grace Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue.
The American won bronze at Paris 2024 and won an army of fans in the process thanks to her performances and personality.
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With 3.8 million followers, she is the most popular rugby player on Instagram.
Maher will make her debut in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s September Digital Issue, empowered by Maybelline.
“Ilona Maher gracing the cover of our September digital issue is more than just a celebration of her athletic achievements – it’s a powerful statement,” said SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day.
Maher showed off her athletic figure in three bikinis for the September issue.
She is one of four Olympic athletes rumored to be joining the next season of Dancing With the Stars.
The reality competition show is known for having at least one athlete per season.
Olympic legends and those who have just competed at the Games are often popular choices.
Days after winning her medal, Ilona reportedly followed the official DWTS Instagram account.
Gymnasts Stephen Nedoroscik and Jordan Chiles are also believed to be in contention, as well as controversial Australian break dancer Raygun.
Other Olympians who have been on DWTS include Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Mary Lou Retton, Ryan Lochte, Apolo Anton Ohno, and more.
Earlier this month, Maher became the latest Olympian to reveal issues with the Paris 2024 medals.
Skateboarder Nyjah Huston recently went viral after taking to Instagram to complain about the rough condition of his bronze medal less than two weeks after having received it.
In the clip, Huston showed off his battered and peeling medal, commenting that its quality didn’t seem to be as “high” as he once believed.
“Alright, so the medals look great when they are brand new,” he said.
California dream
America will officially be the next summer Olympic host when this year’s Paris games come to an end.
Los Angeles will become a three-time host city when it stages the games in July 2028, joining London and Paris in doing so.
The US has previously hosted four summer Olympics and eight overall.
The historic Coliseum and brand new SoFi Stadium will feature heavily in LA’s staging of it’s third Olympic Games in history.
“But they look worse after I let them sit on my skin with some sweat for a little while and let my friends wear them over the weekend.
“They are apparently not as high quality as you would think.”
Now, Maher has also revealed that her medal is struggling to maintain its once pristine condition.
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers, Maher said that her “gorgeous” medal “is wearing a little bit.”
As was the case with Huston, the clip seemed to show the same tarnished look around the edges.
Such instances may lead to replacements being sent out to the Olympians, as per a statement by the International Olympic Committee.
