Ilona Maher Targets 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The Team USA rugby player and former Olympian says she is training for a roster spot at the Games on home soil.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Gymnastics
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Ilona Maher announced on Instagram on Saturday, November 7, that she is training to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her post drew public support from Team USA, fellow athletes and the LA28 account.
Why it matters
A return to the Games would make Maher's third Olympic appearance and would place her on a roster competing on U.S. soil. The announcement signals an effort to secure a place on the national team ahead of the home Games.
Maher has competed in two prior Olympics and won bronze with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games. Her 2028 selection has not been confirmed in the source material.
The players
Ilona Maher
Ilona Maher is a Team USA rugby player and two-time Olympian who won bronze at the 2024 Paris Games and was runner-up on Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars.
Jordan Chiles
Jordan Chiles is a U.S. gymnast who has also shared plans to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Suni Lee
Suni Lee is a U.S. gymnast and Olympic all-around champion who has also shared plans to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The details
Maher posted her announcement on Instagram, saying she is putting in weight training and daily work toward a roster spot. Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee have also shared plans to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Timeline
2020: Maher competes at the Tokyo Olympics.
2024: Maher competes at the Paris Olympics, winning bronze, and debuts in SI Swimsuit.
2025: Maher wins the ESPY Best Breakthrough Athlete award and SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year.
November 7, 2026: Maher announces her Olympic return on Instagram.
2028: The Los Angeles Olympics take place.
Season Trajectory
Maher's bid for a 2028 roster spot places her among a group of U.S. athletes, including Chiles and Lee, aiming for selection at the first Los Angeles Olympics since 1984. The announcement reflects how Olympic cycles shape athletes' long-term planning well before a host Games arrives.
Maher's selection would be decided by the U.S. national team's roster process for the 2028 Games, which the source does not detail. Fans following Team USA rugby or Olympic roster news can track the announcements as the 2028 selection window approaches.
The takeaway
Athletes like Maher often begin preparing for a host-country Olympics years in advance, and the reader can follow roster announcements as they are released. Public support from teammates and organizers can signal a broader community investment in the athlete's comeback.
Further reading
Explore more in Gymnastics coverage of the U.S. Olympic pipeline ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
Live Poll
Would you attend a 2028 Los Angeles Olympic event to watch athletes compete?
