is making a statement, not as a bronze-medalist Olympic athlete but as a . The 27-year-old competitor has been vocal on and off the field, speaking about her body positivity journey and the dating habits within the Olympic Village. Even before the start of this year’s summer games, Maher was warming up – .
Maher took to her account, posting encouraging messages to her female followers and motivating them to accept themselves against societal standards. What’s more, the Olympic star has actively countered stereotypes about her sport, specifically the idea that rugby is a “male sport.” By wearing her signature red lipstick amid the sweaty battle for victory, Maher is countering gender beliefs about rugby players.
Speaking to , the bronze winner admitted: “I think it’s important for me because rugby has always been thought of as a very masculine sport, and [fans] stereotype the people who play it. “Myself and all the girls playing sevens and fifteens, I think, are really breaking that stereotype,” she continued. In most pictures of Maher in uniform, the standout athlete dons a bold, bright lip color.
Even after her bronze victory, the Olympic competitor was photographed with the lip tint. Feeling her best physically means doing what she wants with her appearance, she explained. “We’re wearing makeup because we want to wear it and it makes us feel good, and I think we’re showing that it doesn’t take away from how we play on the field,” she added.
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