During her brief visit to Manila, 18-year-old gymnast LeVi Jung-Ruivivar sought inspiration from the sights and sounds of the city. Her trip, filled with meaningful encounters, left a lasting impression as she prepared to return to the United States.
Jung-Ruivivar visited the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) offices on Wednesday and met with enthusiastic young gymnasts at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) training center in Intramuros on Thursday.
These experiences provided her with memorable moments to cherish as she returned to the US to continue her training.
“It’s been amazing visiting the PSC and meeting the kids,” said Jung-Ruivivar, who was still fighting jetlag, in an interview with the Manila Standard.
On the following day, after meeting with PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and visiting the gymnastics center, Jung-Ruivivar met with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During their discussion, she shared her experiences at the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Uzbekistan, where she won a bronze medal in the uneven bars, and her earlier qualification for the Paris Olympics in Doha.
Just a week before her 18th birthday, Jung-Ruivivar secured a silver medal in the women’s uneven bars, qualifying for the Paris Olympics at the fourth and final leg of the 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series.
“She seeks inspiration. She talked to the kids who are training here. She is looking for inspiration,” said GAP President Cynthia Carrion, after welcoming Jung-Ruivivar and Carlos Yulo following their stint in Uzbekistan.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino also welcomed the two gymnasts.
Jung-Ruivivar and Yulo are among four Filipino gymnasts who have qualified for the Paris Games, alongside Aleah Malabuyo, who recently earned her spot following her performance in Uzbekistan.
After her time with Romualdez, Jung-Ruivivar took a morning flight back to the US, heading to South Texas to continue her training and polish her routines at the gymnastics training center in Dallas.
