American rugby sevens player and two-time Olympian Ilona Maher is the latest female sports star to appear in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue, the magazine revealed Wednesday.
The 28-year-old centre, who can also play prop, was introduced to SI’s 2.1 million Instagram followers after winning bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Maher, who has 3.8 million followers, is the most followed rugby player in the world on Instagram.
She will make her Si Swimsuit debut as the cover model for the magazine’s September digital edition.
“Ilona Maher’s appearance 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, SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief.
Paris bronze medalist Ilona Maher is the latest athlete to sign with Sports Illustrated
Maher showed off her figure in several swimsuits as she showed off her Olympic medal on the beach for SI.
In Paris, he made headlines for talking about turning the Olympic Village into a “Love Island” due to the high percentage of single athletes.
“I can’t wait to get into the Olympic village. It’s going to be a crazy summer,” Maher said in a TikTok video from July, parodying the introductions of Love Island contestants on the U.K. reality show.
“Honestly, I’m probably the fittest bird there.”
Maher can play as a centre or prop, and also represented USA Rugby Sevens in Tokyo in 2021.
After an off-camera friend reminded Maher of her ultimate goal at the Olympics, she reluctantly agreed not to turn the Olympic Village into a “Love Island” village.
“I guess, if you want to put it that way, I’ll try to get into a relationship as soon as possible,” Maher joked. “It’s very early days, but I’m here to find love.”
Maher, a native of Burlington, Vermont, also plays rugby for the Washington, D.C.-based club Scion Rugby.