Filipina Olympic-bound gymnast Ruivivar visits PH for first time

The Manila Times

Filipina Olympic-bound gymnast Ruivivar visits PH for first time   Olympic-bound gymnast Levi Ruivivar shares how excited she is to represent the Philippines for the Paris 2024 games. Visiting the Philippines for the first time, Ruivivar said she also used this as an opportunity to give back as she gave leotards to young Filipina gymnasts.  In her brief stay in the country, the Filipino-American gymnast now shifts her focus to the upcoming Olympics, and looks forward to get in touch with her roots more.  Ruivivar is the youngest Olympian, and will represent the Philippines along with gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, and Emma Malabuyo.  Video by Rio Deluvio  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook   Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram   Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter   DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion     Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital     Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify   Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts   Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic   Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #themanilatimes  #philippines #gymnastics #sports

Transcript

00:00The best part of having this interview experience especially, I've heard that you've given to these young gymnasts.

00:06I would definitely say meeting the young gymnasts and getting to talk to them and getting to know them.

00:12And also just being able to give them some of my videos.

00:15It was just really exciting to be able to finally give back something to the Olympic community

00:20because they've given me so much and they've poured so much into me.

00:24The PSC, the PSC, President Cynthia, just everyone's been so generous with me.

00:31So finally being able to give, even if it's just tiny, something back to them.

00:35And feeling the support and the energy in their room was just amazing.

00:39What was the best part from this very short video for you?

00:44I unfortunately did not get to see almost anything in the Philippines other than driving around and going to different events.

00:51But I have to say just the way everyone was so welcoming.

00:56And I feel like there's a very predominant culture in the Philippines where everyone's very supportive of one another.

01:03Someone's always willing to help out.

01:07And I feel like that's something that's very unique about the Philippines and the Filipino people.

01:12So just the generosity, the kindness, the respect to which each person speaks to one another means a lot to me.

01:19And I've noticed that since I got here.

01:22So what does this mean to you?

01:24Most especially, you're carrying a responsibility.

01:26Or do you take it more as a pressure that the Filipino people are all eyes on you right now for the upcoming 2020 Olympics?

01:35Obviously, I always feel pressure, but that's kind of part of the sport.

01:39So I tend to try to use pressure and navigate in a way that helps me and helps motivate me.

01:44But at the same time, I feel the support of everyone.

01:48So it's a little bit of both, but there's always going to be that pressure there.

01:53So instead of viewing it as pressure, I do feel like it's the support of the community trying to get behind me and just wishing me the best.

02:01Everyone's sending their prayers.

02:03It's just so generous, and I really appreciate it.

02:06And it's really amazing to have so many supporters.

02:12Was it difficult for you, or did you have come to the point to decide on whether I will represent the USA, I will represent PHO?

02:19How did you decide on that?

02:21I always wanted to represent the Philippines since I was young.

02:24And I just had no bridge to connect with the Philippines because my Lolo came to the US.

02:32And we didn't have a connection to the gymnastics side of the Philippines.

02:38So once I was able to get in contact with someone connected to the Philippines Gymnastics Association,

02:45then immediately I wanted to switch over.

02:48And I was planning on exploring how to transition to the Philippines for the 2028 Olympics,

02:56but the opportunity was bigger than that.

02:59So the second the opportunity was there, I just thought, I have to do it.

03:04Are you already living your Olympic dreams, or is this just the start of your whole career?

03:10It's both. I feel that I am living my dream, qualifying to the Olympics,

03:14and it's something I've been thinking about since I was a baby.

03:17But at the same time, I'm really looking to the future and all the opportunities that are for me in the future.

03:22I'll be going to Stanford University in the fall,

03:25and there I'll be competing for Stanford as well as continuing to compete for the Philippines.

03:30I plan on doing a lot of international assignments next year for the Philippines.

03:34I'm really, really excited to do that, and the 2028 Olympics.

03:38So it just feels like the beginning of a long journey to me,

03:41and I just can't wait to continue to grow with the Philippines behind me.

03:45The countdown has already started. It feels like it's been starting since I was born.

03:50But it does feel like because the time is ticking down,

03:56it gives me more motivation to just know that there's only a few weeks left of the hard push,

04:01and I just have to get myself through that and do everything I can to give my all,

04:06because this is the time that matters. So that's what I'm going to do.

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