Ilona Maher stuns in her first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover

Olympic rugby star Elona Mah is gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit the 28-year-old who led Team USA to its first Olympic medal in rugby Sevens at the 2024 Paris games posed in a fierce bikini on the front page of the Magazine's digital September issue Mar stood on what appeared to be a dock with her hands behind her head smiling and sporting a red lip shade along with the image Mar was also photographed in other pictures while sporting a royal blue string bikini in an interview for the cover story Mar shared what rugby taught her about herself I love that rugby showed me what I can do Mar told the publication it showed me how capable my body is and it's not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified MJ day editorinchief of Sports Illustrated swimsuit noted her cover debut is a celebration of her athletic achievements and also makes for a powerful statement Elona is a modern-day role model of strength conviction and authenticity while at the same time displaying the indomitable Spirit of an inspirational human day said in the story her ability to break barriers both on and off the field resonates deeply with women everywhere he continued ilona's presence on our 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 we couldn't feel more excited and inspired by this revolutionary athlete and feminist Trailblazer quote leading up to and throughout the summer games Mar became a voice for female Athletics mental health and humor on Tik Tok and Instagram combined she currently has over 6 million followers Mar hasn't been shy about calling out the haters on social media either in a July Tik Tock video Mar clapped back at a commenter who wrote that she had a body mass index BMI of 30 I think you were trying to roast me but this actually is a fact I do have a BMI of 30 well 29.3 to be more exact Mar shared on Tik Tok I've been considered overweight my whole life The Olympian shared that she is 5 ft 10 in tall and weights 200 lb the only two measurements used to calculate BMI for the Cleveland Clinic a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and any number 30 and above is obese the Cleveland Clinic notes that the number is rather limited though and known to be an inaccurate representation of health or strength especially for people like athletes who have more muscle mass I chatted with my dietician because I go off of facts and not just what pops up in my head like you do she continued in the video referring to the commenter we talked about how BMI really isn't helpful for athletes BMI doesn't really tell you what I can do it doesn't tell you what I do on the field how fit I am Mar continued it's just a couple numbers put together it doesn't tell you how much muscle I have or anything like that so yeah I do have a BMI of 30 I am considered overweight in her final blast against the online troll Mar added but alas I'm going to the Olympics and you're not after her major feat for Team USA beating Australia to bring home the country's first Olympic medal in rugby sevens Mar celebrated with a massive croissant she posted a video on Tik Tok of herself eating the pastry on the streets of Paris which has since collected millions of views Mar said in the clip with her bronze metal dangling from her neck calling the huge pastry a little treat just something to get me going