It was just a simple evening walk for Filipina gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar until it turned into an unforgettable night just days before the Paris 2024 officially commenced.
"100% safe and healthy."
This is what Olympian Levi Jung-Ruivivar assured her fans after the Filipina gymnast suffered a "severe allergic reaction" while having an evening walk in the Olympic Village last Monday, July 22.
Ruivivar shared on Instagram the medical incident that happened just three days ago, detailing what went down in a shocking health scare ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
While on an evening walk, the 18-year-old bared began to feel some anaphylactic reaction and although she admitted having a tree nut allergy, she insisted she did not ingest the allergen.
Aware it was anaphylaxis – a severe allergic reaction that can be traced when a person has been exposed to something allergic like peanuts or bee stings – Ruivivar quickly returned to her room and called her parents, while her roommate in fellow compatriot Aleah Finnegan went out in search of the Olympic Village emergency clinic.
She had to overcome “some initial difficulties” to reach the hospital with the help of her coach, Finnegan, and other staff members.
“On the way to the treatment center, my allergy symptoms escalated rapidly and my breathing became significantly laboured, my throat began to constrict, my chest was itching and I had severe swelling,” Jung-Ruivivar said.
She revealed she carries her EpiPen everywhere, but has only ever needed to use the life-saving device once before. Last Monday was the second time she had to use the device.
“It got to the point where I needed to use my EpiPen and I self-injected it on the way to the clinic,” Jung-Ruivivar added.
“It was really scary because I was having a really hard time breathing.”
When all is well in the end, Ruivivar shared that she still feels the effect of the incident but vows to recover and perform in his Olympic debut.
"I am doing everything I can to recovery and perform at my best possible level. I am slowly progressing back into routines,” she bared.
“I will be competing at this Olympic Games and I am beyond grateful to everyone that helped me through this incident. I’m just trying to push through and do as much as I can.”
Ruivivar, alongside Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, will compete in the qualification rounds of the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around event on Sunday, July 28.
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