Olympian Lévy Jung-Rooyvivir is set to step back from competing to treat an eating disorder.
American-born gymnast Levi Jung-Ruyvivar, who represented the Philippines in last year’s Paris Olympics, has announced plans to withdraw from the competition to address her health.
She said she would begin treatment for an eating disorder.
“Hello everyone, I wanted to come here today to share some deeply personal information. I have decided to redshirt this season and heal from an eating disorder I’ve been dealing with since Stanford (winter quarter only). I’ll be back to school and training before spring quarter starts.” Jung-Ruviver wrote In an Instagram post in collaboration with the Stanford Gymnastics account.
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Levi Jung-Royvivre at the 2023 USA Gymnastics Championships at the SAP Center on Aug. 25, 2023. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
18-year-old Jung-Ruyvivar is a student at Stanford University. She added that battling the disease affected her athletic career and her time as a student.
“My time at Stanford was everything I had imagined and more. I loved gymnastics and school and both were going well, but I felt that the disease was interfering with my ability to fully enjoy these aspects of my life. A large amount of my mental and physical energy was being taken away from the things I loved the most,” wrote the star gymnast.
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Jung-Ruyvivar says she experienced “a lot of panic” when she weighed in to talk about her personal battle. But she decided it was “important” for her to share what she was struggling with.
Levi Jung-Ruyvivar competes on the uneven bars during the US Classic Women’s Senior Division at the Maverick Center on July 30, 2022 in West Valley City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
She added: “As an elite athlete, I felt it was important to seek help and stop the damage it was doing to my body and mind.
Jung-Ruyvivar is grateful for the support she’s getting from her loved ones and coaches, adding, “She’s looking forward to overcoming her eating disorder and enjoying it all and more.”
Levi Jung-Rooyvivir in the Mixed Cup on March 20, 2022. (Marijan Murat/Photo Consortium via Getty Images)
Fellow gymnast Heathley Rivera showed her support for Jung-Ruvivar by writing, “I love you Levi,” under a social media post. Gymnast Sky Blakey added a pair of heart emojis in the comments section.
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In a separate social media post by Jung-Rooyvivir, Stanford University wrote, “Supporting every step of the way.”
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