Cynthia Carrion, GAP President, Apologizes to PH Gymnasts Absent from Heroes’ Welcome
CYNTHIA CARRION – The President of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), has publicly apologized to gymnasts Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Ruivivar for their absence from the Heroes’ Welcome event for Filipino Olympians.
During a press conference on August 19, which was streamed by Radyo Pilipinas, Carrion, alongside Malabuyo and Finnegan, explained that she received last-minute notice about the event for the Olympians.
Carrion clarified that Malabuyo and Finnegan had returned to the U.S. after the Olympics and arrived in Manila on August 15 only for training. She expressed regret that she would have proudly included them, along with Carlos Yulo, who won double gold in Paris 2024, if she had been aware of the event earlier.
Previously, on August 16, Carrion had stated that Malabuyo and Finnegan were not invited to the parade because they were not present at the time. She claimed that they were still traveling and that the event was only for medalists like Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas. Carrion had also accused the gymnasts of dishonesty about their whereabouts, suggesting that they were not in the Philippines during the event.
In response, Ruivivar posted on Instagram on August 19, saying she was never informed about the parade. A screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation she shared indicated that she had inquired about the event and was told it was for medalists only. She expressed surprise at seeing other Filipino Olympians at the parade, while she, Malabuyo, and Finnegan were missing.
Ruivivar, Malabuyo, and Finnegan are notable as the first female gymnasts from the Philippines to compete in the Olympics in six decades. At Paris 2024, Ruivivar placed 40th, Malabuyo 41st, and Finnegan 47th in the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around. The situation highlights communication issues and raises questions about the handling of invitations and the representation of athletes.