Levi Ruivivar wears PHL colors in Olympics for late grandpa

For gymnast Levi Ruivivar, switching federations is more than just about grabbing opportunities — it's about representing her family's heritage.

Ruivivar is among the three Filipino gymnasts bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics, along with the country's 'golden boy' Carlos Yulo and fellow Filipino-Americans Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo.

Lolo's apo

Ruivivar was born and raised in the United States but her heart has always been Filipino.

Her grandfather Tony is a member of the musical group Society of Seven, while her father Anthony is a Hollywood actor.

Ruivivar represented the United States in her junior stint until in 2023 when she decided to switch federations and carry the Philippine colors instead.

"Once I discovered that there was an opportunity for me, I immediately switched," Ruivivar told reporters during her visit to Manila last May.

While Ruivivar said she is grateful for everything that USA Gymnastics has provided for her, the move was a personal one for her.

"The second I was able to make that decision, I did because my grandpa means a lot to me," Ruivivar said.

"He passed away recently and I just feel like [it's] a tribute to him as well because I know he would have been so proud."

Fulfilling dreams

Ruivivar said qualifying for the Olympics has always been her dream since she was a young girl.

"It's a dream come true. I literally have been thinking about qualifying for the Olympics since I was nine years old. I'm not only doing this for myself. I'm doing this for the country and I want to make everyone in the Philippines proud," Ruivivar said in Mariz Umali's 24 Oras report last May 13.

Before switching federations, Ruivivar was part of the USA team which won the 2022 DTB Pokal Mixed Cup. 

When she chose to represent the Philippines, she bagged a silver medal for uneven bars in the FIG World Cup which also booked her a slot to the Paris Games. More than a month after, she bagged a bronze medal for the said apparatus as well in the Asian Championships.

However, the road to those medals were not as easy as it seemed as Ruivivar suffered from Haglund's deformity.

The said condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is described as a bony growth on the heel bone.

"The day that I qualified for the Olympics was the same day that I had bilateral foot surgery a year prior," Ruivivar said, adding that she was out for a long time because of it.

"Coming back from an injury like that was really strenuous on me mentally and physically."

Still, she made a triumphant comeback, even earlier than her supposed target goal which is the 2028 Olympics.

"I was obviously working towards it but the ultimate goal was always 2028. I made it sooner than that is just a blessing. I'm gonna give my all and give my best," she said.

One jump at a time

Gymnastics will see a lot of big names in the Summer Games such as the United States' Simone Biles and Suni Lee.

The gold medalist of uneven bars in Tokyo Nina Derwael is also returning to Paris, while fellow Filipina Emma Malabuyo is also part of the pool.

It may be a tall task but one thing's for sure: Levi's lolo is proud of her granddaughter.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News