Ilona Maher Addresses Criticism of Swimsuit from Sports Illustrated Runway Show

Ilona Maher, a 29-year-old Olympic medalist, responded to criticism regarding her appearance in a swimsuit during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show at Miami Swim Week on June 3, 2026. Maher, who was part of the U.S. women's rugby team that won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, modeled two swimsuits: a golden-triangle bikini and a backless striped swimsuit. Following the event, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit account shared a video of her runway walk on Instagram, which prompted various comments about the swimsuits being 'unflattering.' One commenter expressed disappointment, stating, 'This particular swimsuit is not flattering for her at all!' In response, Maher posted a video on her social media, clarifying that she chose the swimsuit herself and appreciated the feedback, stating, 'Is it unflattering, or is it just, like, a bigger body existing in a suit?' She acknowledged that while she felt the look was not her best, she valued the conversations it sparked. Maher's runway video has received over 8.7 million views and 385,000 likes, with many comments praising her as a role model.