Last year was unforgettable for Ilona Maher and the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team. They didn’t just compete at the Paris Olympics, they made history. For the first time, the American women reached the semifinals, proving they belonged among the best. But after falling to New Zealand, they had one last shot at a medal. It all came down to the final seconds against Australia. The U.S. trailed 12-7, stuck deep in their own territory. Then, Alex Sedrick took off. She powered through defenders, sprinting nearly the length of the field to score at the buzzer! The whistle blew, and the final score was USA 14, Australia 12. Tears, cheers, and sheer disbelief. Maher, a fan favorite with her strength and social media charm, stood with arms raised in triumph. That was one moment. But the rugby star was also part of another and it did not happen on the field. A viral encounter with the greatest gymnast of all time. And now? She is now sharing what it meant!
The Olympic Games are filled with unforgettable moments, but sometimes, it’s not just about the medals. Athletes share experiences, emotions, and camaraderie that capture the world’s attention. Recently, Ilona Maher, a U.S. rugby star, had a viral moment with legendary gymnast Simone Biles. Fans have been buzzing about what she truly thinks of Biles, and now, Maher is setting the record straight.
Ilona treasures another Olympic memory, and that was meeting gymnastics legend Simone Biles. “So we all know iconic Simone Biles,” Maher shared in a TikTok video posted last August. The clip captured the moment Biles approached with a growing smile, handing Maher her custom pin. “Yay!,” Maher exclaimed in the video.
So what are these pins everyone’s talking about? They’re these super cute little enamel badges that athletes, fans, and officials trade like crazy during the Games! Think of them as the Olympic version of trading cards, but way cooler because you get to meet people! The whole pin-trading thing has been around since the very first modern Olympics back in 1896! Can you believe that? Back then, they were just simple cardboard disks that officials wore for identification. Nothing fancy! But over the years? They’ve totally evolved into these gorgeous collectibles that countries, teams, and even sponsors design specially for each Games!
Ilona Maher’s reaction to Simone Biles goes beyond a single viral moment. It represents the power of mutual respect among athletes, the importance of mental health in sports, and the positive impact of uplifting one another. As fans, we love to see these connections that remind us why we admire these athletes in the first place. Just yesterday on her “House of Maher” podcast, Ilona reflected on that experience and the special Olympic tradition of pin trading. “I met people from all over the world and got pins from everywhere,” she said. “It’s really special because not many people get to experience the Olympic Village — only Olympians, coaches, and whatnot. It’s a place where we can all come together.”
