Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher is SI Swimsuit’s September digital issue cover model.The professional rugby player made quite the impression during her second Summer games. For weeks now, she’s been at the center of the conversation about the international event—and for good reason.

Ilona Maher, a member of the United States women’s rugby team that improbably won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics, can now add Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model to her list of accolades. Maher posed,

The bronze medalist shines in an empowering photoshoot in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit September digital issue.

United States rugby star Ilona Maher has been announced as a surprising new feature following her exploits at the Olympics. The 28-year-old has been thriving as of late, having helped the U.S. women’s rugby sevens win bronze at the games in Paris.

It has been a banner last few months for Ilona Maher. First, the 28-year-old star helped the United States women's rugby sevens win a historic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, Maher is gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated's iconic Swimsuit Issue.