FILE–Team Philippines gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar during training ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024 gymnastics competition. –Levi Jung-Ruivivar Instagram
MANILA, Philippines —Filipino-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar announced that she is taking a leave of absence from Stanford to heal from an eating disorder.
Ruivivar, who competed for the Philippines in the Paris Olympics 2024, on Thursday released a statement that she would be stepping away from the competition amid the ongoing NCAA gymnastics season to focus on her healing.
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“I have decided to redshirt this season and take a brief leave of absence from Stanford (just the winter quarter) to heal from an eating disorder I have been struggling with. I will return to school and training before the spring quarter starts,” the Filipino-American gymnast said in a statement also shared by Standford Gymnastics.
Supporting you every step of the way ❤️
A note from Levi:#HTL | #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/sCn5Vsq96y
— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordWGym) January 22, 2025
The 18-year-old athlete, who started representing the country in 2024, said the eating disorder has affected both her gymnastics training and time at school.
“I struggled with an eating disorder prior to my time at WOGA and Stanford,” Ruivivar said.
READ: Levi Jung-Ruivivar ‘hurt’ after missing out on Team PH homecoming
“My time at Stanford has been everything I dreamed of and more. I have been loving gymnastics and school and both have been going well, however, I felt the disorder was infringing on my ability to fully enjoy these aspects of my life; it was pulling an abundant amount of my mental and physical energy away from the things I hold dear.”
She said she decided to publicly address her condition to be the voice of other people who are also going through the same struggles.
“I had lots of trepidation sharing this information with the public as it is something I haven’t told many of my closest friends, however, I think it is important for various reasons. First, I want to be extremely honest with everyone who is a part of my journey. Second, I believe by being transparent I can minimize the shame I feel around it. Third, I want to be a voice for anyone who may be struggling with an eating disorder, you are not alone,” Ruivivar said.
Team Philippines gymnastics bets Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan and Levi Jung-Ruivivar. They are set to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s gymnastics event. –Levi Jung-Ruivivar Instagram
Ruivivar made history for the country in the Paris Olympics 2024, along with fellow female gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo. She was the youngest athlete in the Team Philippines delegation.
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Fellow Paris Olympian Samantha Catantan was among those who offered well-wishes for Ruivivar on her Instagram post.
“Sending lots of love and hugs!!” Catantan commented.
