Who Is Ilona Maher? U.S. Rugby Player’s Body Positivity At The Olympics Is Going Viral

July 30, 2024

American rugby player and two-time Olympian Ilona Maher—who won a bronze medal on Tuesday—has become one of TikTok’s most popular Olympians through her series of well-timed comedy bits, poignant commentary on sexism in sports and vocal support of “all the different body types” as she exposes the treatment she’s received for her own athletic build.

In addition to spreading the word about women’s rugby, Maher has used her platform to advocate for body positivity, sharing her own stories of being shamed for her “masculine” and muscled physique and, in a clip posted during Friday’s opening ceremony, encouraging fans to “take a look at all the different body types on display.”  Forbes