American-born gymnast Levi Jung-Ruibibal, who represented the Philippines at last year's Paris Olympics, announced plans to withdraw from competition due to health concerns.
She said she would begin treatment for an eating disorder.
“Hello everyone. I'm here today to share some very personal information. I redshirted this season and briefly left Stanford University to heal from an eating disorder I've struggled with. I have decided to take a break from school (for the winter).''I plan to return to school and training before the start of the spring semester. ” Jung-Louis Vivard wrote said in a statement via a joint Instagram post with the Stanford Gymnastics account.
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Levi Jung-Louivival during the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships at SAP Center on August 25, 2023. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
Jung-Ruvivar, 18, is a student at Stanford University. She added that her struggle with this disorder has had a negative impact on her athletic career and her school days.
“My time at Stanford was everything I dreamed of and more. I love gymnastics and school, and both are going well. I felt like it was infringing on my ability to fully enjoy aspects of my life. So much of my mental and physical energy was taken away from what I value,” the star gymnast wrote. Ta.
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Jung-Louivivard admitted that she felt “a great deal of anxiety” as she considered whether to talk about her private struggles. But she decided it was “important” to share what she was working on.
Levi Jung-Louisviver competes on the uneven bars in the women's senior division at the US Classic on July 30, 2022 at the Maverick Center in West Valley City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
“As an elite athlete, I felt it was important to seek help and stop the damage I was doing to my body and mind,” she added.
Jung-Louiviver also expressed gratitude for the support she has received from loved ones and coaches, adding: “I look forward to enjoying all this and more while overcoming my eating disorder.”
March 20, 2022, Levi Jung-Louisvival at Mixed Cup. (Marijan Murat/Photo Alliance via Getty Images)
Fellow gymnast Hesley Rivera showed her support for Jung-Louivival by writing “I love you, Levi” at the bottom of a social media post. Gymnast Skye Blakely added a heart emoji in the comments section.
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“We will support you every step of the way,” Stanford wrote in a separate social media post to Jung-Louisvivard.
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