Fil-am gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar gets a chance to bring pride and honor to the Philippines come the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar switched nationalities from the USA to the Philippines with a goal in mind– make the Olympic Games.
And that she did, with the 18-year-old crediting her strong Filipino heritage, particularly her late grandfather, in her decision to don the Filipino tricolors.
“It really did come from me. I talked about for a while that I wanna represent the Philippines since I was able to connect to my Lolo [grandfather] a lot when I was young,” Jung-Ruivivar revealed on the Pilipinas Live's Starting Lineup.
Back in 2023, Jung-Ruivivar announced her decision to represent the country with her Filipino roots traced back to her father and actor Anthony Ruivivar in mind.
[ALSO READ: After switch from USA, gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar thrilled to represent Philippines in Asian Games]
Jung-Ruivivar made her way to Paris after a silver finish in the uneven bars at the 2024 FIG Artistics Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar last April.
[ALSO READ: Dream Come True: Filipina gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar is 10th Pinoy to see action at Paris Olympics]
She joined compatriots Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan in the Team Philippines gymnast squad.
Levi then shared she felt “very connected” to her Filipino ties, further prompting her decision to switch nationalities.
"I always cherish those moments with him. I grew up surrounded by a Filipino family on my side. I just felt very connected with that side of my family and my heritage.”
The youngest athlete in Team Philippines Paris 2024 delegation, Jung-Ruivivar bared representing the country in the Olympics felt right and the Filipina DNA in her is just too strong to deny.
“I felt it [representing the Philippines] would bring me joy and happiness and also closer to my roots,” she said.
“I felt a strong affinity for the Filipino community and being able to represent the country is something I am honored to do.”
[ALSO READ: Levi Jung-Ruivivar raring to represent Philippines with 'honor and pride’ in Olympic Games Paris 2024]
Jung-Ruivivar looked back on her gymnastics career, revealing she started to show some glimpse of her sport as early as 18 months old.
"I was always climbing up the furniture in our house, swinging around the kindergarten bars so they decided to put me in gymnastics. I really did not know that that would lead me to a place where I am now. I’m so grateful for that decision.”
She even admitted being unaware of the Olympic Games until she was told, revealing that she almost quit the sport at such a young age due to her then limited capabilities.
“I actually didn’t know what the Olympics were until I was told what it was. I thought the highest I can go is possible is level 10 or JO (Junior Olympics) in the US. I was like I’m gonna do level 10 when I was 10 years old, and I’m gonna quit because that's as much as I can do."
In her recent visit to the Philippines, Levi, alongside Yulo, took time to give inspiration to the young gymnasts, expressing her trip to the country as an “amazing feeling.”
“Being able to come into the Philippines made me realize that I’m not only doing it for myself, but I’m doing it for all Filipinos out there.”
[ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Paris 2024-bound Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Carlos bolster dreams and aspirations of young gymnasts]
Lasty, Jung-Ruivivar gave some advice to aspiring athletes who are dreaming of someday representing the country in the biggest sporting event of the world.
“Trust your training and trust yourself. You just have to get to the right headspace– calming your nerves, taking deep breaths– and thinking really positively at the moment.”
Story Summary:
· Levi Jung-Ruivivar, an 18-year-old Filipino-American gymnast, switched nationalities, from the USA to the Philippines, with the aim of competing in the Olympic Games. She achieved this goal by earning a silver medal in the uneven bars at the 2024 FIG Artistics Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar.
· Jung-Ruivivar's decision was deeply influenced by her strong Filipino heritage, particularly her late grandfather. She felt a profound connection to her Filipino roots and family, which played a significant role in her choice to represent the Philippines.
· During a recent visit to the Philippines, Jung-Ruivivar, along with fellow gymnast Carlos Yulo, inspired young gymnasts by sharing her journey and emphasizing the importance of self-belief and positive thinking. She expressed that representing the Philippines brings her joy and a sense of connection to her heritage and the Filipino community.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]