Ilona Maher champions empowerment through sports
Ilona Maher's rugby debut influences body positivity and women's empowerment
Design by Banee Chadha & Brooke Gavin
Banee Chadha, Photography Editor & Brooke Gavin, Staff Writer
Ilona Maher has been a household name over the last year; beyond winning a gold medal in rugby at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Maher's rise to fame has also been fueled by her active social media presence and her stint as a finalist on "Dancing with the Stars." It started with viral behind-the-scenes videos from the Olympics, where she showed not only her athleticism but also a glimpse into her life in the Olympic Village. Additionally, Maher's body positivity has become one of the mainstays of her public image, offering young female audiences a relatable and empowering message about embracing one's body.
Maher was a distinguished athlete in field hockey, softball, and basketball in high school. It was not until she was 17 years old, upon her father's urging, that Maher picked up rugby---a choice that would define her future. She went on to play women's rugby at Quinnipiac University, where honors came from the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association based on her exceptional talent and dedication. She competed at her first Olympics in 2021, representing the United States at the Tokyo Olympics, which sealed her place among the best.
In addition to her Olympic achievements, Maher used her platform to share her experiences in the Olympic Village, where she and her teammates created viral, satirical videos that highlighted both the intensity of their training and the joy of their community. These behind-the-scenes moments, along with Maher’s candid discussions about body image, resonated with many fans, particularly inspiring young women with her body-positive approach. One viral video that particularly captured attention was her response to a derogatory comment about her body and Body Mass Index (BMI). Maher openly shared that her BMI was 29.3, a number that places her in the overweight category. Yet, she pointed out that despite this, she was competing at the highest level in the Olympics—something that many of her critics ignored. Her statement led to a wave of support from her followers, particularly those related to her experience.By the time Maher entered the 2024 Paris Olympics, her influence had grown exponentially, both as an athlete and as a role model. Her social media updates kept fans engaged and her bronze medal performance brought even more recognition. Shortly after, "Dancing with the Stars" announced her as a contestant, where she partnered with professional dancer Alan Bersten. Maher quickly became a fan favorite, and each week, she showcased a wide range of emotions, from being vulnerable to, as she says, unapologetically confident. Her performance on the show conveyed a powerful message. one that Maher continually focuses on, as she believes that women do not have to follow a specific body type to feel beautiful and feminine.This inspired girls everywhere as they, themselves, have applied Maher's message to their own lives.
"I'm not tiny. I have bigger calves, and my doctors told me repeatedly that I have bigger quads, but [Maher] made me realize that I don't have to look a certain way," Piper Esposito, captain of Northview High School's Varsity Softball team, said. "I look my role as a catcher, and I can still do what I want to do and look cute."
By promoting body positivity and redefining beauty standards, Maher has not only shaped her own career but also catalyzed a cultural shift among young athletes at Northview and beyond. Her legacy is not only measured by her medals and achievements but by the lasting change she has sparked in how young women see themselves and their potential.
"She's a great role model for especially for younger girls, but also girls who have a similar build to her because not everyone can be dainty and cute, and especially on 'Dancing with the Stars,' she really leaned into the masculinity of her femininity," Maygan Loparo, teacher at Northview High School, and former athlete said. "She showed that you can put them together. It doesn't have to be one or the other."
