AFTER A gutsy campaign for the Philippines, gymnasts Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo, and Aleah Finnegan finished 40th, 41st, and 47th, respectively, in the 2024 Summer Olympic Gymnastics qualifiers. The qualifying events took place yesterday at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France.
This outing marked the first time in six decades that the Philippines was represented in the Olympics by female gymnasts since Evelyn Magluyan and Maria-Luisa Floro in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Recovering from an anaphylactic episode that occurred days before competing, Jung-Ruivivar still competed valiantly for the nation. The 18-year-old scored 13.600 in vault, 13.200 in uneven bars, 12.433 in floor exercise, and 11.866 in balance beam. This performance netted the youngest member of the Centennial Team an all-around score of 51.099.
Similarly to Jung-Ruivivar, Malabuyo ended with a total of 51.099—bagging scores of 13.266 in vault, 12.500 in uneven bars, 13.100 in floor exercise, and 12.233 in balance beam.
Rounding out the trio’s efforts was Finnegan who finished with 50.498 points with scores of 13.387 in vault, 12.733 in floor exercise, 12.566 in uneven bars, and 11.466 in balance beam.
Despite the early exit, Malabuyo expressed her gratitude with being able to compete on the biggest stage in sports.
“Before even competing in an event, I started getting teary-eyed. Seeing my family and [the] Philippine flag all over the arena, [there is] no other feeling,” the Filipino-American shared in an interview with One Sports.
Sharing the same sentiments as Malabuyo, Finnegan emphasized being proud of her accomplishments while understanding that there is still room for growth.
“There is also that side that is a little [disappointed] in myself because I know what I am capable of, but we’re at the Olympics, so no matter what, I’m walking out of here with my head held high,” the Louisiana State University Tiger concluded.
With these results, the attention now turns to the remaining Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who will compete for a podium finish in the all-around finals this Wednesday, July 31, in the same venue.
