Ilona Maher is putting a vibrant spin on her Olympic bronze medal, proudly referring to it as “rose gold.” The 28-year-old rugby sevens star shared her reflections during an interview with PEOPLE at the grand opening of the Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.
Maher and her Team USA teammates view their bronze medal from the Paris Olympics as a significant achievement, rather than a mere consolation prize. “We truly changed the game in Paris and did something so monumental,” she stated. “We just got a bronze, but honestly, it felt like a gold. People often say, ‘Oh, you’re the gold medalist,’ and I have to correct them: ‘Nope, just got a bronze.’ The reaction has been so positive that it feels like a gold. We call it rose gold, actually. It’s our rose gold.”
The bronze medal represented a historic milestone for Team USA, marking the first Olympic medal in rugby sevens for the country, achieved through a hard-fought match against Australia. Since the whirlwind of the Paris Games, Maher has kept herself busy, currently competing on Dancing With the Stars.
Reflecting on her post-Olympic experience, Maher noted the challenges of transitioning back to normalcy. “I’ve had just one week off since Paris wrapped, which has made this comedown different compared to after the Tokyo Games. I’ve talked with some teammates about it, and their comedown might be tougher. For me, the experience has been unique because I’ve learned from Tokyo,” she explained. “We won a medal, but once the hype dies down, I think it’ll be tough for me too. Right now, everything I’m doing feels bigger than just 15 minutes, and I want to create something meaningful.”
Travel provides Maher a rare opportunity for personal time, serving as a refuge amid her busy schedule. “Having access to the lounge gives me moments to myself,” she said. “I try to sleep as much as I can on planes, watch a movie or two, but if I can sleep, I’m asleep.”
The new Delta One Lounge, inspired by Old Hollywood, features luxurious amenities, including a made-to-order sushi bar, nap pods, and massage chairs. Additionally, the lounge has partnered with several local businesses, including SQUIRL, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Milla Chocolates.
Delta Airlines is an inaugural founding partner of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and proudly serves as the official airline of Team USA.
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