Levi Jung-Ruivivar redshirts NCAA gymnastics season to recover from eating disorder

MANILA, Philippines – Filipina-American gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar on Thursday, January 23, announced that she is redshirting the current NCAA women’s gymnastics season as she hopes to recover from an eating disorder.

Jung-Ruivivar, who represented the country in the Paris Olympics, said she is taking a leave of absence from Stanford, with hopes that she is able to return to school and training before the spring quarter sometime in April.

“My time at Stanford has been everything I dreamed of and more. I have been loving gymnastics and school and both have been going well,” said Jung-Ruivivar in an intimate Instagram post.

“However, I felt the disorder was infringing on my ability to fully enjoy these aspects of my life; it was pulling an abundant amount of my mental and physical energy away from the things I hold dear.”

While the 18-year-old initially kept her eating disorder secret even from her closest friends, she said she chose to disclose her condition to be a “voice” for people who are in the same state.

“For those of you who may not know a lot about eating disorders, there are many different kinds and the severity of them differs, however, they truly negatively impact one’s mind and body,” she said.

“As an elite athlete, I felt it was vital to stop the damage it was doing to my body and mind by seeking help.”

Massive support poured in for Jung-Ruivivar, including those from her fellow Filipino Olympians Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Sam Catantan (fencing), and Lauren Hoffman (athletics).

“You’re so strong,” wrote Finnegan, who competed with Jung-Ruivivar in the previous Games.

Catantan and Hoffman, meanwhile, both sent Jung-Ruivivar their love.

Jung-Ruivivar thanked her support system, saying she is “blown away” by the number of people who have rallied behind her.

“I look forward to getting to relish all of this and more as l overcome my eating disorder,” said Jung-Ruivivar. – Rappler.com