Team USA Rugby Sensation Ilona Maher's Speech Is What The Olympics Are About

History was made on the rugby pitch for Team USA as the rugby sevens national team won what would be their first-ever Olympic medal.

They did so in nail-biting fashion as well against Australia, as with just seconds remaining and trailing 12-7, Alex Sedrick took it nearly 100 meters for the game-tying try. She was able to add the two-point conversion with no time left on the clock, and she officially clinched the bronze finish for her squad.

While Sedrick is the hero of the game, many fans across social media have been gravitating toward Ilona Maher. She went viral during the past Olympics and has used her platform to grow the game of rugby, support women in sports, and emphasize body positivity. She has also used her popularity to attract Jason and Kylie Kelce to the sport, making them the newest rugby superfans.

Maher gave one of the best post-game speeches following the sensational victory. At 27 years of age, she is well aware that there's a chance that this was her last dance, but she still used the opportunity to help inspire the next generation while also paying tribute to what may have been the end of her career.

"In rugby, we say we're just passing through the jersey and making the jersey better, and that's always been my goal—to make this jersey better," Maher said . "Not just for me but for the other girls that are going to come into the program. And I want them to dream... of being professional rugby players—professional athletes. That's what I feel like I'm giving them.

"Even if this is my last rugby game, I hope that there's space for them to grow and thrive and [that] they experience this [because] I got to."

She also later told the media that she hopes the game will continue to grow, as the opportunities for women in rugby are endless.

“I hope it means we get more games in stadiums like this, that we get more money and funding for the women’s game. We deserve it. We need more girls in the US trying rugby and seeing what it can do for them.” Maher continued.

Maher and Team USA finished sixth at the previous Olympics. The rugby superstar has nearly two million followers on TikTok, and even if her career on the field is done, she certainly has a platform to continue to advocate for women in sports.

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