The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) recently faced criticism for excluding numerous Philippine gymnastics team from the Heroes' Parade, a homecoming celebration honoring the country's Filipino Olympians. GAP President Cynthia Carrion has now issued an apology to the gymnasts who did not attend, offering light on the misunderstandings that caused their absence.
Filipino gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, took to Instagram to express her disappointment over missing the Heroes’ Parade. Alongside fellow gymnasts Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar was not present at the event. In her post, the 18-year-old revealed that she had heard about the parade being planned and reached out to GAP President Cynthia Carrion for details. However, she was told that the event was only for athletes who had won Olympic medals.
This exclusion caused a stir among fans and supporters of the gymnasts, especially since Jung-Ruivivar, Malabuyo, and Finnegan had made history by being the first female gymnasts from the Philippines to compete in the Olympics in six decades. Their participation alone was a significant achievement for the country, and many felt they deserved recognition alongside the medalists.
In response to the backlash, Cynthia Carrion held a press conference on Monday, August 19, which was streamed by the state-run Radyo Pilipinas. During the conference, Carrion, who was accompanied by gymnasts Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan, issued an apology to the athletes and their supporters.
“I’m sorry, we didn’t get advice or notice. You should have joined all our events. Had I known, of course, I would be so proud of them being with me. Not only one, but four. If all of us would have known they were here, we would have told them to come,” Carrion stated.
Cynthia Carrion apologizes to Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan (and by extension, Levi Ruivivar) —
— LV 🌒 (@tokensoutherner) August 20, 2024
"You should have been there."
I do believe her that they were advised last minute... but still, Emma was already here, and someone from GAP should have known! 🥺
📼 @RPDos918 pic.twitter.com/phm5dweuQU
This apology marked a significant shift from Carrion’s earlier remarks, where she had claimed that Malabuyo and Finnegan were not invited because they were not in the country at the time. Carrion had also accused the two gymnasts of lying and making things difficult for the federation, stating that they were still en route to the Philippines when the parade was held.
“Those two people were not here. Why will we invite them? They were still flying. We did not know about in the last minute, we did not even know there was going to be a parade. They were not here. Why would we invite them? They are giving us a hard time. I have my own rules and I don’t like things that are lying. They are lying because they are not in the Philippines. They are still flying. They arrived on the 15th,” Carrion had said during a media interaction on Friday, August 16.
The confusion surrounding the gymnasts’ participation in the parade appears to stem from a lack of clear communication and timing. It was reported that Malabuyo and Finnegan had flown to the United States after the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic Games but had returned to the Philippines on August 15, just in time for the parade. On the day of the event, social media posts confirmed that Malabuyo was already in the country, while Finnegan was on her way.
Despite their timely return, it seems that the necessary information did not reach Carrion or the organizers in time to include the gymnasts in the parade. This miscommunication led to their exclusion, which has now been publicly addressed by the GAP President.
Jung-Ruivivar, Malabuyo, and Finnegan’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics was a historic moment for Philippine gymnastics. They were the first female athletes from the country to compete in the Olympic Games in this sport in 60 years. Their journey to the Olympics was a testament to their dedication, skill, and the growing strength of gymnastics in the Philippines.
In the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around event, Jung-Ruivivar finished in 40th place, Malabuyo in 41st, and Finnegan in 47th. While they did not bring home medals, their participation on the world’s biggest stage was an inspiring achievement for the nation and the sport of gymnastics.
The controversy surrounding the Heroes’ Parade highlights the importance of properly recognizing the achievements of all athletes, regardless of whether they won medals. For Jung-Ruivivar, Malabuyo, and Finnegan, their participation in the Olympics was a milestone for Philippine gymnastics, and their exclusion from the parade was seen as a missed opportunity to celebrate their contributions.
In the world of sports, recognition is not just about winning; it’s also about acknowledging the hard work, dedication, and breakthroughs that athletes achieve. For these gymnasts, being part of the parade would have been a moment to celebrate their journey and inspire future generations of athletes.
With Carrion’s apology, it is hoped that the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines will take steps to ensure that such oversights do not happen in the future. Clear communication and inclusive planning are essential in honoring all athletes who represent the country, regardless of the outcome of their competitions.
For fans of Philippine gymnastics, the focus remains on supporting these athletes as they continue to train and compete at the highest levels. Their achievements in the 2024 Paris Olympics have already paved the way for a brighter future for the sport in the Philippines.
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