In a dramatic twist, a highly anticipated gymnast from Stanford University has been hit with a severe allergic reaction, jeopardizing their participation in the Paris Olympics. “I just felt so incredibly happy and there was so much joy in my heart,” said the youngest Filipino gymnast after going to Paris this year. The LA native and Stanford alum was a member of the USA Elite National Team four times before she made the shift to representing the Philippines in 2022. However, an Olympian’s journey is not just about the athletic meets, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar was faced with this harsh reality when she arrived in Paris ahead of the opening ceremony on July 26 and fell ill.

Levi Jung-Ruivivar made a shocking announcement on her Instagram just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, with the caption, “Hi Everyone, I just wanted to inform you all about a medical incident that took place this week. 🚨‼️” She suffered an allergic reaction Monday in the Olympic Village and explained further in the captions, “This Monday I was taking an evening walk when I began to have an anaphylactic reaction.” She did not ingest tree nuts, to which she is allergic, nor did she suffer from a bug bite. Despite this, she had an allergic reaction. After returning to her room, she called her parents and got help from her roommate, Aleah, to find the medical emergency clinic in the Village. Fans and fellow athletes are now anxiously awaiting updates on her condition and her Olympic future.

According to her report, on the way to the treatment center, Levi Jung-Ruivivar’s allergy symptoms escalated rapidly. Her breathing became significantly labored, her throat began to constrict, her chest started itching, and she experienced severe swelling. The situation intensified to the point where she needed to use an EpiPen, which she self-injected en route to the clinic. This was only the second time in her life that she had experienced such a severe allergic reaction. Fortunately, with the help of her coach, roommate, and Ms. Cynthia, she was finally able to get the medical attention she needed.

Jung-Ruivivar announced, “I just want to let everyone know that I am 100% safe and healthy. My muscles are fatigued and it definitely took a toll on my body, but I am doing everything I can to recovery and perform at my best possible level.” Only 3 days after the incident, she took part in the podium training which is an Olympic qualifying round. Thankfully we can still expect to see her perform in the Olympics this year. Support has poured in for her from athletes across the world. Stanford Gymnastics wished her best writing, “We are so proud of you and rooting for you all of the way!” Even LSU gymnastics wrote, “that had to have been so stressful and scary 😢 but i’m so proud of you!! you’ve trained so hard for this, and sometimes, even if it’s against your will.”

They further advised that it’s okay to take a step back and just breathe. What’s important is Levi Jung-Ruivivar got the help and care she needed. She can now work hard to get back into it. They added, “come competition, you WILL be ready to show the world what you’re made of and what you have worked oh so hard for, proud of always. LABAN PHILIPPINES ❤️ PH” Even, Nola Matthews, the 2023 Pan American Uneven Bars Champion wrote, “glad you’re ok, wishing u the best this weekend!! love u!”

With this kind of love and support pouring in, Jung-Ruivivar will surely make an incredible comeback. Her journey underscores the idea that success often comes from following a path less traveled.

Levi Jung-Ruivivar’s unconventional route to success

Jung-Ruivivar will start as a freshman at Stanford University, competing in NCAA gymnastics. In 2022, she obtained dual citizenship through her Filipina heritage. This year, she qualified to represent the Philippines as an individual competitor at the Paris Olympics through the World Cup series. Though she grew up on the West Coast, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and her coaches felt she had a better chance of making a name for herself and honoring her heritage by competing for the Philippines, so she migrated there in 2022.

It was a good decision for her. At the Baku World Cup, she placed 8th on the uneven bars. In 2023, she finished 19th All-around in the Winter Cup. During the US Classics, she competed on the uneven bars and finished 16th, making her a prominent competitor for the 2024 Olympics. Moreover, during the US National Championships, she placed 25th in the all-around category. She trains at WOGA Gymnastics in Plano, Texas, with Hezly Rivera, the youngest member of the U.S. delegation.

All in all, she scored 62 points on the uneven bars, directly qualifying for the Olympics. At the FIG Apparatus World Cup series in Doha, she scored 13.633 and won a silver medal, securing an Olympic berth. At the Asian Gymnastics Union Senior Women’s Championship this May, she secured a bronze medal. She is currently only the third Filipino gymnast, after Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, to make it into the Olympics. This marks her debut on the elite stage, and she will undoubtedly do her best to succeed.