What's next for Olympian Ilona Maher? 'Chill on the couch and eat my momma’s food'
Ilona Maher touched down at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
After a few historic weeks in Paris, it's time for some well-deserved relaxation for the Vermont native.
Maher, fresh off a break-through bronze medal at the Summer Games and skyrocketed stardom, returned to her home state, greeted by scores of family and friends eager to welcome home, hug and snap selfies with their Olympian.
"I think it’s about how much just enjoying the process, is really powerful," Maher told the Free Press about her biggest takeaway from the Summer Games in Paris. "The Olympics are a very cool event, but it’s the moments before the Olympics, moments between the Olympics — spending time with family and friends."
More: Who is Ilona Maher? She's a role model for female athletes and USA Rugby Sevens star
Maher was one of the the world's biggest breakout stars for these Games. She helped the U.S. women's rugby sevens team to their first medal, and the country's first podium finish in 100 years, following an incredible, last-second rally to beat Australia in the bronze medal match last month.
During the Olympics, Maher shined on and off the pitch. Her stiff-arms and galloping tries set social media ablaze and caught the attention of NFL stars such as Derrick Henry. And her own social media posts delivered unique, authentic content that she's been known to produce in the years before Paris.
More of the world took notice this time: Maher is the most followed rugby player on Instagram on the planet. Over the last month, Maher has increased her follower count on Instagram by 2 million to 3.7 million; on TikTok she's gone from 1.1 million to 2.3 million.
"My social media is the same. I post the same as I did before and after the Olympics. I post the same content," Maher said. "It’s never been about, I’m going to change up who I am. I did the same stuff every time, so it wasn’t hard for me and it wasn’t unexpected. I know my content resonates with people and I know people love to see it."
Post competition in Paris, Maher continued to stay in the public conscious. She took selfies with Tom Brady, posted more humorous, quality content and was a guest on NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on the night of her 28th birthday.
"It’s really cool to have people keep me grounded, keep me settled like my family and my sisters," Maher said. "It is cool to meet celebrities, but it’s my teammates and everybody who really are my celebrities — they have been so amazing through this whole process."
After a whirlwind of activity, what's next for Maher?
"I’m going to go throw my phone away, chill on the couch and eat my momma’s food," she said.
Burlington community to celebrate Ilona Maher on Saturday, Aug. 17
Burlington announced a community event to celebrate Ilona Maher on Saturday morning at Battery Park.
The special gathering is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Burlington mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Allyson Archacki, Maher's former field hockey coach at Burlington High School, will recognize Maher during the event. Maher is scheduled to speak, according to the news release.
"We are really excited to be able to welcome Ilona Maher home and show her how proud we are of her accomplishments," Burlington School District Superintendent Tom Flanagan said in a statement. "Her success both on and off the rugby pitch is a testament to her character and work ethic and a great example for all of us."
Local trumpet player Larry Solt will kick off the event with the playing of the national anthem. The celebration will be held rain or shine.
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Ilona Maher: Olympic bronze medalist returns to Vermont after Olympics
