18-year-old gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar, who was previously a US national team member but now competes for the Philippines, took to Instagram to let her followers know that she suffered a “severe allergic reaction” in the Olympic Village earlier this week.
The Stanford University incoming freshman plans to compete in NCAA gymnastics for the school. After obtaining dual citizenship thanks to her Filipina heritage, she qualified to compete for the Philippines at this year’s Olympics.
Although Jung-Ruivivar has a known tree nut allergy, she doesn’t believe it was ingestion of the allergen that caused her reaction. She posted:
This Monday I was taking an evening walk when I began to have an anaphylactic reaction. I didn’t ingest tree nuts (to which I am allergic) or suffer from a bug bite, but for some reason I suffered from a severe allergic reaction.
As her symptoms were worsening, she administered the epinephrine auto-injector she carried with her on the way to the emergency medical center.
She received medical attention at the center and was subsequently cleared to compete in Sunday’s qualification round. She says this was only her second bout with anaphylaxis.
I just want to let everyone know that I am 100% safe and healthy,” she said. “My muscles are fatigued and it definitely took a toll on my body, but I am doing everything I can to recover and perform at my best possible level.
Here is her post in its entirety:
We at SnackSafely.com wish Ms Jung-Ruivivar a complete recovery and much success at the Summer Olympics.
We applaud her for carrying her epinephrine and administering it when it became clear she was suffering anaphylaxis. We also appreciate her for publicizing her use of epinephrine as an example to others.
- Instagram Post — Levi Jung-Ruivivar
- Former U.S. gymnast says she suffered anaphylactic reaction in the Olympic Village — NBC News
