Sport olympics

Someone tried to body-shame an Olympic rubgy player and got gloriously and deservedly mauled

Oonagh Keating. Updated July 30th, 2024

American rugby player Ilona Maher is enjoying her team’s success at the Paris Olympics, having just beaten Great Britain in the quarter finals and New Zealand up next in the semis.

She has become one of the best-known stars of women’s rugby, thanks in no small part to her entertaining social media presence.

It was through her TikTok account a few weeks ago that she had an important message for the person who tried to body-shame her. It’s inspirational.

@ilonamaher

As long as haters keep saying dumb stuff, I’m gonna keep clapping back

♬ original sound – Ilona Maher

“BMI doesn’t really tell you what I can do. It doesn’t tell you what I do on the field, how fit I am. It’s just a couple numbers put together.

It doesn’t tell you how much muscle I have or anything like that. So yeah, I do have a BMI of 30.

I am considered overweight. But alas, I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not.”

via GIPHY

TikTok gave a virtual roar.

Wonder if riot_steph is working at the highest possible level of her field.
noavailablename_

BUT ALAS I’M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS AND YOU’RE NOT sent me.
Danielle

I never even considered watching rugby during the Olympics, but after seeing your videos with you and your teammates, I’m definitely going to check it out.
randalhill366

I would follow you into battle. Not just cause of your insane athleticism, but because of your honesty and charisma to allow people to see fitness differently.
Anna Sloan

I’ve always said I’m personally victimized by the bmi scale, Norwegian build.
Amberly Heath

Ilona’s magnificent takedown made it to Twitter/X.

It’s fair to say that she made a few conversions.

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This pretty much nails it.

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This presenter had a message for a body-shaming viewer who criticised her clothes and it was sheer perfection

Source Ilona Maher Image Screengrab