jiliko PH gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar reveals struggle with eating disorder

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.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Female gymnasts end 60-year Olympic wait for Philippines

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA: Ginebra clinches quarterfinals spot with rout of Rain or Shine SPORTS NBA: Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again for missing team flight SPORTS Petro Gazz digs deep to keep Van Sickle’s minutes down

“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.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I struggled with an eating disorder prior to my time at WOGA and Stanford,” Ruivivar said.

Article continues after this advertisement

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.”

Article continues after this advertisement

She said she decided to publicly address her condition to be the voice of other people who are also going through the same struggles.

“You’re just traumatized when you have these losses. At some point, you’re just glad you’re alive,” said Don Hornstein, an insurance law expert at the University of North Carolina. “And then, you have to turn to the business side of this. It’s tough.”

“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.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

big thunder slots

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.jiliko

READ NEXT PH gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar reveals struggle with eating dis... PVL: Akari regains winning ways, turns back winless Nxled EDITORS' PICK Apl.de.ap hopes to collaborate with BINI: ‘They are world-class’ PH returns to offshore debt market with US dollar, euro bond offers Galvez asks MILF to conduct probe into Basilan ambush Rubio: China's actions in South China Sea erode regional peace Fil-Am mayor makes history as youngest elected official in Pinole, California Magnitude 5.4 quake hits Zamboanga del Norte MOST READ Masahiro Nakai to retire after sex misconduct allegations — Japan media P170 million worth of shabu seized from mother, son in Cebu City China urges PH to protect Chinese nat'ls rights after 'sleeper agent' arrest Traffic enforcer appeals case, gets stiffer penalty Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments