Paris 2024 gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar 'never' informed on PH Olympians' homecoming parade: 'I was really hurt'
Gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar said she was "never" informed about the homecoming parade for Filipino athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving her "really hurt."
In a statement posted on Instagram on Aug. 19, Ruivivar, who was born in the United States but represented the Philippines in the summer games, said, "I truly wish from the bottom of my heart that I could have attended and been part of this event."
"[B]ut unfortunately I was never informed that I was invited or presented with the opportunity to go," she said.
Ruivivar recalled hearing from a member of the Olympic delegation that "some sort of event was taking place in Manila to meet the President." She was referring to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the First Family hosting the athletes at the Malacañang Palace on Aug. 13 when they returned to the Philippines.
She also shared a screenshot of a conversation on messaging platform WhatsApp regarding the event.
"On August 7th I sent a WhatsApp message to my [National Sports Association] head... stating that I had heard there was an upcoming event to meet President Bongbong Marcos and I asked what the event entailed," she said.
The following day, Ruivivar said she got a message stating it was only for medalists: gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
"I responded inquiring if that was in fact correct because I had heard all Olympians were invited," she said. "I never received a response or further information. And I still haven't had any communication about it."
Ruivivar said she was surprised to see all Filipino Olympians in the parade, except for her and her fellow gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo.
"I was really hurt considering this was a once in a lifetime opportunity I missed out on," she said. "I want to be part of the celebration with my fellow Olympians and to share in the excitement of the success of this Olympics with my country, the Philippines."
Ruivivar said she truly wished she could have gone there, considering that she has sacrificed "endlessly to perform for my country and to make everyone proud."
She noted that she has no current obligations in the US before heading to Stanford University in September, and there's "nothing" prohibiting her from attending the "extraordinary event."
"I want to let everyone know that I am so incredibly grateful for the support, the love, and the Pinoy pride," she said, adding that she's "truly excited to continue competing for the Philippines."
"I look forward to taking every opportunity to come to the Philippines and hopefully inspire the new generation of Filipino gymnasts that are the future," she said.
Finnegan and Malabuyo previously said they weren't informed about the parade.
When the parade was about to happen, TikTok entries showed Malayo was in the Philippines while Finnegan was en route.
Ruivivar, Finnegan, and Malabuyo are the first female gymnasts to represent the Philippines in the Olympics in six decades.
At Paris 2024, Ruivivar placed 40th, Malabuyo 41st, and Finnegan 47th at the women's artistic gymnastics all-around.
PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and its president Cynthia Carrion for comment, but has yet to receive a reply.