"Don't make it a big deal, but it is my birthday"- Ilona Maher opens up on celebrations at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony

Ilona Maher recently won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. A few days after her podium finish, she appeared on the 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' show and revealed how she celebrated her birthday, which coincided with the Olympics closing ceremony.

Maher led the US rugby team to their first-ever Olympic medal with a brilliant performance against Australia in the bronze medal match. She flaunted bright red lipstick while playing and gracefully proved her prowess with the win.

The rugby player appeared on the 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' show soon after returning from Paris. She turned 28 on August 12 and recalled how she celebrated her birthday in France at the closing ceremony.

"What I did was, we were at the closing ceremonies, and I was just telling everybody, 'Hey guys, don't make it a big deal, but it is my birthday.. So whatever you wanna do,'" said Maher. "But we struck midnight when we were still out there in the stadium, so I was like, 'Everybody sing to me right now.' So it was beautiful and there's no better way to do a birthday than that."

Ilona Maher also opened up about wearing her Olympic medal "a lot," saying:

"Well, a lot. People talk about their chains. That's my chain. But it is heavy. And it does kind of wear on the neck, which is like, you know, a fun burden to bear. Like, wearing an Olympic medal, like, 'It's a lot of work.' But I will wear it more."

"Such a big gesture" - Ilona Maher on returning home after her bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics

Ilona Maher reached her hometown, Burlington, on August 15 after winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was applauded by her family and fans as she reached the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. Following the grand welcome, the Olympian said it was special to witness people acknowledging her hard work. She said (as quoted by MyChampionValley.com):

"You know it’s such a big gesture, like even just making your way out, you know for a 5 minute sighting at an airport is really special," Ilona Maher said. "Even the pilot on the plane was like, 'We see a lot of people we don’t know what’s happening,' and then he’s like, 'Oh it’s for you,' so it means a lot. To get recognition for your hard work is something we all strive for."

Her mother Meineke Maher revealed the family's plan and said:

"We’re gonna go home, and we’re gonna discuss what we’re gonna make for dinner tonight. And we’re gonna sit and relax. And then when we go to bed all 3 girls will be under the same roof and I will sleep very well."

Ilona Maher made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she finished sixth.