American-born gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who represented the Philippines at last year’s Olympic Games in Parisshe announced plans to retire from competition to address her health.
She said she would start treatment for eating disorder.
“Hello everyone, I wanted to come here today to share some deeply personal information. I have decided to redshirt this season and take a short leave of absence from Stanford (winter quarter only) to heal from an eating disorder I am struggling with. I will be back to school and train before the start of the spring quarter,” wrote Jung-Ruivivar in a statement via a collaborative Instagram post with the Stanford gymnastics account.
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Levi Jung-Ruivivar during the 2023 USA Gymnastics Championships at the SAP Center on August 25, 2023. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
Jung-Ruivivar, 18, is a student at Stanford University. She added that her struggle with the disorder hurt her athletic career and her time as a student.
“My time at Stanford was everything I dreamed of and more. I loved gymnastics and school and both were going well, but I felt that the disorder interfered with my ability to fully enjoy those aspects of my life; it took a heavy toll my mental and physical energy away from the things I hold dear,” the star gymnast wrote.
Jung-Ruivivar admitted she experienced “a lot of trepidation” as she weighed whether to speak about her private struggle. But she decided it was “important” for her to share what she was struggling with.
Levi Jung-Ruivivar competes on bars during the women’s senior division of the US Classic at the Maverik Center on July 30, 2022 in West Valley City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
“As an elite athlete, I felt it was vital to stop the damage he was doing to my body and mind by seeking help,” she added.
Jung-Ruivivar also expressed gratitude for the support she’s received from loved ones and coaches, adding that she’s “looking forward to being able to enjoy all of this and more as I overcome my eating disorder.”
Levi Jung-Ruivivar at the Mixed Cup on March 20, 2022. (Marijan Murat/image alliance via Getty Images)
A fellow gymnast Hezly Rivera showed his support for Jung-Ruivivar, writing “I love you Levi,” under the social media post. Gymnast Skye Blakely added a pair of heart emoticons to the comments section.
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In a separate social media post addressed to Jung-Ruivivar, Stanford University wrote, “supporting you every step of the way.”
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