Ilona Maher, who captivated fans around the world on TikTok when she candidly showcased life as a rugby Olympian in Tokyo, is back for Paris 2024. She empowers women and raises awareness about her sport on her platform of over 1 million followers, but her strongest fan base may be at home. NBC News’ Savannah Sellers reports.
TikTok's favorite Olympian is back on the world stage, and she's once again showing millions of viewers a glimpse into what life's like in the Olympic Village. Ilona Maher, a member of the U.S. women's rugby team, brought her niche sport into the limelight three years ago when she shot to internet fame documenting her candid, sometimes awkward experience at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, having amassed more than 1.6 million followers on TikTok and 1.
The athlete also attracted praise from the likes of internet star Hank Green, who tagged Maher in a 2021 video saying he was 'hyped for women's rugby sevens this year.' Maher, raised in Vermont, first tried rugby her senior year of high school before going on to play at Quinnipiac University, where she graduated in 2018 with a nursing degree. She joined USA Rugby right after college, and this year will be her second experience competing in the Olympics.
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