2023– a rising gymnast and LSU star stunned not just the gymnastics community but the whole world. And no, it did not happen on the gymnastics apparatus. Olivia Dunne debuted for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition in Puerto Rico in 2023. The popularity she built over the years through her gymnastics and her social media presence earned her a return in 2024 with a shoot in Portugal. And once again in 2025, she is back. While Dunne came back for her second in 2024, Ilona Maher was debuting for the magazine in 2024. Now, as they meet in 2025, what does the gymnast have to say to the Rugby player?

“Had ourselves a day 🏖️🫶 #SISwimsuit #SISwim25 #SwimWeek #BeachParty” read the caption of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s latest Instagram picture posted on May 30th. It featured multiple legendary women who had been the models for SI’s 2025 swimsuit edition, including Jordan Chiles, a two-time Paralympic medalist, Ali Truwit, etc. In one picture, it was Olivia Dunne and Paris Olympics bronze medalist Ilona Maher. The two could be seen hugging it out.

Dunne donned a white dress while Maher wore a green shirt over her swimsuit. Taking the picture to her Instagram story, Dunne wrote, “FAV @ilonamaher“. Dunne then also went to share a sip with fellow gymnast, Jordan Chiles, and accompanying them was the Hot Mess host, Alix Earle. This is the debut for Jordan Chiles in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. But not only did she grace the world when Ben Horton photographed her in Boca Raton, Florida, she hit another milestone.

The Olympic gold medalist is now one of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue’s cover girls. Chiles graced one of its four covers, alongside Olivia Dunne, Salma Hayek Pinault, and Lauren Chan. The latest issue has been underway since May 28 and will be there until June 1. May 30th saw them celebrating at a beach party. The highlight of this swim week is supposed to be the SI Swimsuit Runway Show on Saturday, May 31, at the W South Beach, featuring cover stars Olivia Dunne, Jordan Chiles, and Lauren Chan, along with six finalists from the 2025 Swim Search competition.

While all of this unfolded, it must have also been refreshing for Maher as well to be there after she missed the launch party due to national team concerns. And this is also not the first time Dunne and Maher have played the one-word praise game.

Olivia Dunne and Ilona Maher’s one word for each other

On May 20, Maher took to Instagram to post her swimsuit pictures from the SI issue. Donning a cheetah print swimsuit, she posed at the rocky shoreline and in water and captioned, “Me to my mom: tell dad to stay off Instagram today.” Dunne took to the comment section to drop a word for the Olympic bronze medalist. “Unreal.” she commented. This is where the streak begins.

Other than this, this is the third time for Dunne to appear in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit magazine, and she announced it her way on March 25. “Still leading, still evolving—how’s #SISwimsuit year 3 feel? @livvydunne 😉” captioned the post made by the magazine in collaboration with the social media star, posting a BTS of her shoot where Dunne, very much like Maher, donned a cheetah print swimsuit. The Olympic bronze medalist was one of the first to take to the comment section and drop a word for the former LSU gymnast. “Goddess,” she commented.

It all makes sense that these medalists have each other’s backs! Not just are they lauding one another, but the queens are fixing each other crowns.