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Olympic Rugby star Ilona Maher stuns on Emmy red carpet in blue dress, winks at camera

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•09/15/24•

ChandlerVessels

ilona maher
Dan MacMedan-USA TODAY

USA Olympic women’s rugby star Ilona Maher stole the show on the red carpet Sunday evening at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Wearing a blue dress, Maher paused to pose for the camera as she turned around to show off her outfit.

She then playfully winked before turning back around and laughing as she made her way down the carpet. It’s clear she is having a great time and it should be a fun evening with plenty of awards to be doled out. You can view the clip of Maher and her outfit for the night below.

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Maher rose to national attention at the Paris Olympics this summer as she helped Team USA to win a bronze medal. She went viral on social media for a stiff arm that she had in one match where she fended a defender off all the way down the field for a score.

The 28-year-old has managed to stay in the spotlight with several NFL names such as Tom Brady, Derrick Henry and Jason Kelce shouting her out. It’s clear she has grabbed the attention of the nation and she’s simply enjoying her time in the spotlight.

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are a long way away still, but one has to imagine that with the success she had this year, Maher will be there as well.

Ilona Maher on how USA women’s performance can grow the sport of rugby

Speaking after the bronze medal win, Maher was hopeful that the increased attention on the sport during the Olympics will encourage more young people to get involved. This group of American women set an example that others can follow in the sport for years to come.

They’re inspiration for the next generation.

“I mean we definitely want to get more people into our sport, rugby,” Maher said. “For how it’s changed our lives and for how it’s changed our view of our bodies and what we’re capable of, I just think it can have that power for so many other girls. So we just love to see more people into it, and even if it’s not rugby it’s other sports, water polo. Girls do something that really shows them how amazing they can be.”

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report.