US Rugby star Ilona Maher is revealed as the next Sports Illustrated swimsuit model
Ilona Maher, an American rugby sevens player and two-time Olympian, is the latest women’s sports star to be featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, the magazine announced Wednesday.
The 28-year-old centre, who can also play as a prop, was introduced to SI’s 2.1 million followers on Instagram after winning bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Maher, who has 3.8 million followers himself, is the most followed rugby player in the world on Instagram.
She makes her Si Swimsuit debut as the cover model for the magazine’s September digital issue.
“Having Ilona Maher on the cover of our September digital issue is more than just a celebration of her athletic achievements — it’s a powerful statement,” said MJ Day, editor in chief of SI Swimsuit.
Ilona Maher – a bronze medalist in Paris – is the latest athlete to sign with Sports Illustrated
Maher showed off her figure in a variety of swimsuits as she showed off her SI Olympic medal on the beach.
In Paris she made headlines when she wanted to transform the Olympic Village into ‘Love Island’ because of the high percentage of single athletes.
“I can’t wait to get into the Olympic villa. It’s going to be a crazy summer,” Maher said in a July TikTok video that parodied the introductions of Love Island contestants on the British reality TV show.
“Honestly, I’m probably the fittest bird there.”
Maher can play as a center or prop and also represented the US rugby sevens in Tokyo in 2021
After an off-screen friend reminded Maher of her main goal during the Olympics, she reluctantly agreed not to convert the Olympic Village into a ‘Love Island’ villa.
“I think so, if we want to say that, but I’m still going to try to pair up early,” Maher joked. “It’s early, but I’m here to find love.”
Maher, born in Burlington, Vermont, also plays club rugby for Scion Rugby, based in Washington DC.