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Ilona Maher, a rising star in the world of women's rugby, has become a social media sensation and an advocate for body positivity. Her infectious enthusiasm and down-to-earth nature have captivated fans both on and off the field.Maher's breakout moment came during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she showcased her off-field personality through engaging and humorous social media videos. Her behind-the-scenes glimpses into life in the Olympic Village resonated with fans, making her a beloved figure."People are always like, 'You're so unapologetically yourself,'" Maher told Olympics.com. "And I'm like, 'What is everybody else doing out here?' I don't even try to be that. It's just how I am."Beyond her social media presence, Maher is also known for her signature red lipstick, which she wears to every game as a statement of empowerment."It doesn't take away from your athletic ability if you wear makeup," she said in an interview with CBS. "If you want to put on a full face of makeup to go tackle people, good on you if you're doing it."Maher's advocacy for women's sports and body positivity has extended beyond her own platform. She has collaborated with brands like Nike and Lululemon to promote inclusivity and inspire young athletes.Her impact has also been recognized by other sports stars. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, American football star Jason Kelce wore a shirt adorned with Maher's face at the gymnastics team championship. The two also had a friendly hand wrestling game that Maher documented on social media.Ilona Maher's journey is a testament to the power of authenticity and self-expression. She has used her platform to challenge stereotypes, empower women, and inspire others to embrace their true selves.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, has etched her name in history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics. At just 22 years old, she has already achieved remarkable success, but remains humble and determined as she prepares for her final event at the Games.Bhaker's journey to Olympic glory began with a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. She then teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to secure another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event. These medals are a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering focus.Despite her historic achievements, Bhaker remains grounded and understands the pressure that comes with being an elite athlete. She expressed her gratitude for the support she has received but also acknowledged the fear of disappointing her fans. "I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed. Please don't be angry if I don't win another medal," she said.Bhaker's success is particularly poignant given her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where a pistol malfunction prevented her from achieving her Olympic dream. The heartbreak she experienced has made her appreciate her medals even more. "After the experience in Tokyo, I realize how special winning this (medal) is," she said.Bhaker's performance has drawn comparisons to former 10m air rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who became a household name after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, Bhaker remains focused on her own journey and is determined to continue working hard for more glory. "I can't say that about myself (becoming a female sporting icon); if people call me that then I am grateful. But my journey will continue and there's no stopping for me, I will keep working hard even if I win or lose," she said.Bhaker looks up to ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shuttler PV Sindhu as role models. "I've always looked up to athletes like Neeraj (Chopra) (PV) Sindhu, who have always been able to prove themselves at certain levels," she said.As Bhaker prepares for her final event in the 25m sports pistol, she remains confident and determined. Her journey is an inspiration to young athletes across India, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Suni Lee's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. After winning the all-around gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, she faced intense scrutiny and online harassment. Amidst this, she was diagnosed with two incurable kidney diseases in 2023, forcing her to withdraw from college and halt her gymnastics training.The diagnosis was a devastating blow to Lee, who feared her gymnastics career was over. However, with the support of her family and coaches, she returned to the gym in early 2024. Despite the lingering effects of her kidney disease, Lee persevered, determined to prove herself once again.On Tuesday, Lee made a triumphant comeback at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in three rotations, she helped Team USA secure the gold medal. Her performance was a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit.Lee's journey is an inspiration to anyone facing adversity. She has shown that with determination and support, it is possible to overcome challenges and achieve one's dreams. Her story is a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, hope and perseverance can prevail.

North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong made history by winning their country's first Olympic medal in eight years, claiming silver in the mixed doubles table tennis event at the Paris Games. The duo's impressive performance came after a hard-fought 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 defeat to China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.China, the undisputed table tennis powerhouse, has dominated the sport at the Olympics, winning 32 of the 37 available gold medals since its inception. However, they missed out on the mixed doubles title in Tokyo three years ago. Wang and Sun rectified that with their victory, setting the stage for a potential clean sweep of table tennis golds in Paris.North Korea, which skipped the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train with the Chinese team in preparation for Paris. Kim acknowledged the invaluable lessons they learned from the world's best."We had some time with the Chinese team, which is the world's best," said Kim. "Of course it wasn't enough in the end. We had a good performance but there are some regrets. We learned a lot from them."Despite their defeat, Ri and Kim remained optimistic, vowing to return stronger. "We hope to do better next time and win the gold," said Kim.Wang and Sun, who have not lost outside China in four years, faced an unfamiliar challenge in the North Korean pair. "It's quite rare to have a North Korean pair in international competition," said Sun. "We had never played them before. They have strengths and they have been able to beat a lot of opponents. They have a distinctive style."After a close first game, China took control, but North Korea fought back to level the match. China regained the lead, but North Korea once again showed their resilience. Ultimately, the Chinese pair prevailed, but Sun admitted that the loss in Tokyo had motivated them."All of us were so devoted, we invested a lot," said Sun. "Every match we had certain difficulties but we backed each other up and we got to the final and beat such a good team."

In the heart of Paris, the Olympic Games witnessed a bittersweet tale of sibling rivalry and resilience. Hifumi Abe, the reigning 66kg judo champion, found solace in victory after his sister Uta's shocking defeat.Uta Abe, a four-time world champion, had been undefeated since 2019. However, in Paris, she stumbled in the second round, shattering their hopes of a sibling gold medal sweep. Hifumi, driven by his sister's loss, vowed to fight for her honor."It was a hard day," said Hifumi, "but I felt I had to work hard for my sister. I had no choice but to do my best as the older brother."The Abe siblings are not alone in their Olympic family legacy. History is replete with blood relations gracing the podium. The Swedish father-son duo of Oscar and Alfred Swahn won 15 shooting medals across three Games. Indian hockey legends Dhyan Chand and his brother Roop Singh, along with Dhyan's son Ashok Kumar, are Olympic medalists.In Paris, Ukrainian twins Maryna and Vladyslava Aleksiiva are aiming to surpass their artistic swimming bronze from Tokyo. Despite the horrors of war in their homeland, they have found solace in their sport."We wanted to showcase our resilience," said Vladyslava. "Our music is cheerful and heroic, reflecting our determination to overcome adversity."The Sinkovic brothers, Valent and Martin, are Croatia's hopes in men's rowing. They have won gold and silver medals in previous Games and are looking to add to their tally."We wouldn't last this long if we weren't brothers," said Valent.South Korea's Yeo Seo-jeong and her father Yeo Hong-chul, an Olympic medalist in gymnastics, share a special bond. Yeo Seo-jeong hopes to emulate her father's success in Paris.British runner Jake Wightman will face the challenge of defending his 1500m title. His father Geoff, a former marathon runner, will be commentating on the race.Tatsuru Saito, the son of two-time Olympic judo champion Hitoshi Saito, will carry his father's legacy in the men's 100+ kg event.The Paris Olympics is a testament to the power of family and the indomitable spirit of athletes who overcome adversity to achieve their dreams.

Aditi Ashok, India's top female golfer, is gearing up for her third Olympic Games in Paris. Having competed in two previous Olympics, she is determined to make the most of this opportunity.Ashok's journey to the Olympics began at the age of 14 when she set her sights on Rio 2016. She worked tirelessly to improve her amateur ranking and secure sponsor invites to professional events. In Rio, she finished 41st despite being only 18 years old and having limited professional experience.In Tokyo 2020, Ashok showcased her maturity and skill, finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on a medal. This performance gave her immense confidence and proved that she could compete with the world's best.Heading into Paris 2024, Ashok is focused on her driving, which she believes is key to her success. She has been working on improving her speed and accuracy off the tee. Despite the pressure of expectations, Ashok remains composed and focused on her game plan.Ashok is excited to compete at Le Golf National, the storied venue for the Paris Olympics. She believes the course's open layout and potential for windy conditions will provide a challenging but enjoyable experience.Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences, Ashok emphasizes the importance of staying present and committed to every shot. She believes her game is strong enough to keep her in contention and is eager to make the most of this opportunity.

India's Olympic shooting woes continued on Tuesday as trap shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman failed to qualify for the final round, finishing 21st among 30 marksmen. Despite shooting two perfect scores of 25 in the last two qualification rounds, Tondaiman's aggregate score of 118/125 fell short of the top-six shooters who shot 123 each.Tondaiman, 37, had a disappointing start to the qualification round on Monday, shooting 22, 25, and 21. However, he rebounded with two perfect-25s on Tuesday, but it was too little too late.In the women's trap event, Rajeshwari Kumari and Shreyasi Singh also struggled. Rajeshwari shot 68 out of 75 over three rounds of qualification on Day 1, while Shreyasi was further down at 22nd. The two will play two more rounds of qualification on Wednesday before the top-six finalists are decided.Meanwhile, pistol shooter Manu Bhaker added a second bronze to her kitty in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, partnering with Sarabjot Singh.

Team USA's Olympic medal count may be impressive, but the absence of gold medals on day three has raised concerns. Despite three golds on day two, the team dropped to sixth place in the medal tally after day three.However, Team USA's athletes showcased their talent with six bronze and two silver medals on day three. Swimming accounted for four medals, including a silver for Katie Grimes and bronzes for Emma Weyant, Luke Hobson, and Ryan Murphy.Skateboarding also brought success, with Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston claiming silver and bronze respectively. Nick Itkin added a bronze in Fencing. Notably, the men's gymnastics team secured a bronze medal, their first in 16 years.Despite the lack of gold on day three, Team USA's prospects remain bright with upcoming events in women's gymnastics, basketball, and track and field.The women's basketball team, aiming for its eighth gold medal, boasts a star-studded roster including Diana Taurasi, A'ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum. They defeated Japan on day two, led by Wilson and Breanna Stewart.The men's basketball team, featuring Stephen Curry and Lebron James, is also a medal contender. After a disappointing exit in the 2023 FIBA Championship, they defeated Serbia in their opening game, with Kevin Durant and James leading the scoring.Both basketball teams are favorites for gold, and their performances will be crucial in determining Team USA's overall medal count.

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by competing in the round of 16 of her event while seven months pregnant. The 26-year-old's remarkable achievement highlights the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood and elite sports.Hafez's journey to the Olympics began in 2014 when she joined the Egyptian National Senior Women's Sabre Fencing Team. In 2015, she claimed her first victory at the Egyptian Senior Women's Sabre National Republic Competition. Her Olympic debut came at the 2016 Rio Games, where she qualified through the African zonal qualification.In 2021, Hafez secured a spot in the Tokyo Olympics. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous accolades, including a silver medal at the 2018 African Zonal Championship and bronze medals in 2014 and 2019. She also claimed a bronze medal at the Belgium Tournoi satellite.The Paris Games held special significance for Hafez, who was already a three-time Olympian. "This specific Olympics was different," she said. "Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!"Hafez's pregnancy presented both physical and emotional challenges. "The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it," she said.Despite the challenges, Hafez remained determined to compete at the highest level. She won her first match 15-13 against USA's Elizabeth Tartakovsky but was eventually knocked out in the round of 16 by South Korea's Jeon Hayoung.Hafez's achievement is a testament to her resilience and dedication. She has inspired countless women around the world by demonstrating that it is possible to pursue both motherhood and elite sports.