'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
American rugby union player Ilona Maher's series of photos were recently posted on Instagram by Sports Illustrated magazine on August 29, 2024. According to CBC News, the athlete has become the latest swimsuit cover model for the magazine. The photos surfaced on the internet about a month after her team won the bronze medal in the 2024 Olympics.
In one of the photos, Maher could be seen flaunting a brown bikini. The photos had received much love and applause from most netizens. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day further described Maher as a "modern-day role model of strength, conviction, and authenticity." Day added:
"[Her] presence on the cover symbolizes a shift in the narrative — one that celebrates not only physical prowess but also the courage to lead, inspire and advocate for change."
Internet users have taken to social media to express their reactions to the viral photos of Ilona Maher. One fan on X commented:
Several others expressed similar sentiments online.
"She should model for a marble sculpture because she's built like a roman god," an X user wrote.
"SHE IS HER, SHE IS THE MOMENT," another comment read.
"Finding out she’s straight broke me," one netizen tweeted.
Netizens clearly couldn't stop praising the rugby player for the photos and her looks.
"Her beauty just leaves me in awe. She's MOTHERING," one user commented.
"The Queen of the Olympics!!!!!! I love her!!!!! Beautiful," a user wrote, referring to her performance in the Paris Olympics.
"She looks like something that came out of Greek Mythology. Incredible," another tweet added.
Sports Illustrated had further posted some BTS shots of Ilona's shoot as their cover model.
Ilona Maher's latest swimsuit photoshoot reportedly advocated body positivity
As mentioned earlier, the rugby union player's recent swimsuit photos were meant to change the existing narrative about "attractive" bodies. The message was mentioned in a statement by the magazine's editor-in-chief, MJ Day, as well. Ilona Maher received immense support online from netizens for the images.
Maher recently spoke to Sports Illustrated about her journey as an athlete and how she gained success in her field. During the conversation, Maher revealed that it was her dad who first encouraged her to get into rugby when she was 17 years old. Apart from being a successful athlete, she has a strong social media presence, with more than 3 million followers on Instagram.
Ilona Maher told Sports Illustrated:
"I love that [rugby] showed me what I can do. It showed me how capable my body is and it’s not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified."
Maher has always been open about the gender biases that women athletes have to face in the industry, especially in rugby. She further told the outlet that the female players earned a lot less than their male counterparts.
Fans have showered massive love on the shoot, praising how confidently she owned the look.
