So long for the pre-Olympic frills, it’s now or never for Levi Jung-Ruivivar for Paris 2024.
The euphoric feeling of qualifying for Paris 2024 seems to be wearing off for Levi Jung-Ruivivar.
Reality is slowly setting in for the 18-year-old gymnast as the grind gets tougher.
“I still can’t believe that I qualify for the Olympics. But I think it’s finally starting to hit me a little bit more,” Ruivivar said in an exclusive interview with One Sports.
The Filipino-American gymnast arrived in Metz, France to begin her lead-up for Olympic Games Paris 2024, immediately setting sights on building up to be in the best shape possible.
" I just really want to get in the best training I can before the Olympics. My goal is to improve my strength, conditioning and execution. Just continuing to build my strength so that I can peak at the Olympics,” Ruivivar said, who will compete in the women’s individual all-around event in artistic gymnastics.
At 18 years old, she is the youngest among the 22 athletes in the Olympic Games and her recent visit to the country left a mark on her Paris 2024 preparations.
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“It really makes me insightful about why I am doing this and to who I am doing this for,” she admitted.
After all, it is clear cut what is at stake for the young and multi-awarded Ruivivar in her Olympic debut.
“I’m doing it for myself, but I’m doing it for everyone back home.”
[ALSO READ: Young and sweet, only 18: Levi Jung-Ruivivar harvests the fruit of dedication as the youngest Filipina athlete in Paris 2024]