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"Iconic, Brilliant, Inspirational"- Ilona Maher enjoys a moment with Simone Biles as she prepares for the current season of Dancing with the Stars
Olympic medalist Ilona Maher met Olympic champion Simone Biles again after the Paris Olympics. The American rugby player will be joining the 33rd season of 'Dancing with the Stars' along with Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik.
However, before that, Maher had a chat with Biles, who is also a former participant in the popular dancing reality show. She uploaded a couple of stories about the same on her Instagram account.
In one of the stories, Ilona Maher, posing for a photograph with Biles, wrote:
"On the move again..."
![Screengrab from Ilona Maher's Instagram stories [Image Source: Ilona Maher's Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/90703-17268019645447-1920.jpg)
In the next story, she praised Simone Biles for her personality, with the following caption:
"Iconic. Brilliant. Inspirational. Stunning. Incredible. Amazing. Spectacular."
Maher had recently been in the news for her appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars'. In one of the videos that went viral on social media, the Olympic bronze medalist indulged in a rock paper scissors game with fellow competitor and Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik.
Ilona Maher was a part of the American women's rugby team that created history at the Paris Olympics in the rugby sevens event. Despite losing to eventual champions New Zealand in the semifinals, the American team overcame the setback to win the bronze medal, defeating Australia by 14-12.
When Simone Biles and Ilona Maher exchanged pins at the Paris Olympics
The meeting between Ilona Maher and Simone Biles wasn't their first one. At the Paris Olympics, the two were in the news for exchanging pins with each other.
Exchanging pins at the Olympics has been a prevalent tradition since the very first edition of the modern Olympic Games held in Athens. Simone Biles made news at the Paris Olympics when she exchanged her customized pins with rugby player Ilona Maher.
An ecstatic Maher also mentioned in her TikTok video, as she said [via People.com],
"So, we all know, Iconic Simone Biles. She made her own custom pins and my sister's made custom pins for me as well. So, I gave my custom pins to Simone and she's gonna give me hers."
Ilona Maher uploaded the video on her Instagram account as well, with the caption,
"Simone Biles blessed me today."
While Maher had to battle body shaming, Simone Biles had to overcome her mental health issues, which had taken a toll on her during the Paris Olympics.
Yet, both overcame their troubles and created history in Paris. Ilona Maher contributed significantly to USA's historic podium finish at the rugby sevens' event, while Simone Biles established herself as the most decorated American female gymnast of all time with three golds and a silver medal from the Paris Olympics.
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