Olympic gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar. Photo from Jung-Ruivivar/Instagram
MANILA – Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion-Norton said she is considering to bring back Olympic gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar in the national team for the 20th Asian Games.
Carrion shared the development to ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview at the GAP gym in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.
"I'm considering. I'm still considering if Levi will be part of it, only one of the girls," she said when asked about Ruivivar.
"I feel like she will strengthen the team. You know, she's been training hard. She has the passion now. I can feel that she really wants [it]. And the mother also told me and the father, they reached out to me and they said that they really, really feel that it's her time. So let's see," Carrion added.
The GAP President said the women's artistic gymnastics team for the Asian Games will include Haylee Garcia, Chiara Andrew, Kylee Kvamme and Lauren Supnet.
Olympians Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo will not be able to represent the flag as they continue to recover from injuries.
"We need a good team for Asian Games. So I feel like maybe we should consider her [Levi]. I have to convince the board to consider her as our fourth, fifth team member. Of course, I'll also ask my team because they have to work together well," Carrion explained.
READ: Paris 2024: Youngest PH Olympian Levi Jung-Ruivivar eager to make country proud
The Filipino-American gymnast last competed for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside Finnegan, Malabuyo and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Following the Summer Games, Ruivivar took to social media to say she was "hurt" for not being invited to the homecoming parade for Filipino Olympians.
GAP earlier explained they were not informed about the event and would have wanted the female gymnasts to be there.
Carrion likewise said Ruivivar and her family have reached out to her and GAP to apologize for the incident.
"She removed what she put [online]. So she's very apologetic of what she's done and she apologizes, apologizes. And she sent a very, very nice apology letter and I'm considering it and I'm going to call, talk to the board to see if what they say about this letter that she's writing us and apologizing constantly," the GAP President said.
"And I know that she's really sorry and you make mistakes. Like I always say, being a gymnast, it's not a right, it's a privilege to be a part of our team. It's just privilege. So you cannot insult us or we can kick you out immediately. I mean, you know, you have to be part of our rules and you have to follow our rules and we are a family," she added.
Ruivivar took to social media again on Friday to reflect on what happened in the past.
"Looking back at the events following the 2024 Olympics, My family and I realize that we handled a complex situation poorly. In trying to navigate a misunderstanding, I chose to release a statement regarding the Heroes parade meant to explain my absence. That statement inadvertently contributed to a negative narrative surrounding the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines," she wrote.
"It weighs heavily on my heart that my actions caused distress or cast a shadow over the federation, especially when Ma'am Cynthia Carrion, Ms. Rowena Bautista-Eusuya, and the GAP Board worked so tirelessly to give us a platform to compete," Ruivivar said.
The Olympian has acknowledged her actions and remains committed to supporting Philippine gymnastics.
"I take accountability seriously and as such... [I] am accountable for my actions. I deeply apologize to Ma'am Cynthia, Ms. Rowena, the GAP board and the entire community for the misunderstandings of the past. My intent has only ever been to make my country proud, and I am fully committed to deferring to the wisdom, leadership and guidance of GAP moving forward," she wrote.
"I am deeply committed to learning from this experience, listening to the guidance of my leaders, and putting in the hard work necessary to move forward. My heart remains with my country and I look forward to supporting the future of Philippine gymnastics with total humility and respect.
The GAP President is looking to form the best team for the Asian Games, as they seek to win the country's first medal in the continental meet.
The Asian Games are set from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.