Levi Jung-Ruivivar ’28 seemed set to join the United States Women’s National Team in gymnastics. Growing up, she participated in various gymnastic programs run by USA Gymnastics. However, on Sept. 26, she announced her decision to represent the Philippines.

Jung-Ruivivar decided to compete for the Philippines at age 16 to gain more opportunities to compete internationally and better connect with her Filipino heritage. Because her grandfather was born in the Philippines, she was able to obtain dual citizenship and switch her International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) license to the Philippines. It was a lengthy process, but it was worth it for Jung-Ruivivar.

“The feeling of competing for a country that I love so much [is] truly amazing,” Jung-Ruivivar said.

Her first competition under the Filipino flag was supposed to be the Asian Games, which were hosted by China in 2023 from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. The entry submission deadline to the Games had already passed, but the Philippines was allowed to appeal a roster change to allow Jung Ruivivar to compete at the Games. She was expected to participate, and there was even talk that she could become a potential medalist. 

However, Jung-Ruivivar’s entry visa to China was denied.  

“When I was about to fly out, due to some political debate and with the Philippines and China fighting over fishing rights, China did not approve my visa because I was a likely medalist, and they did not want [me to win],” Jung-Ruivivar said, referring to rising tensions in the South China Sea between the two nations. That tension translated from international relations into sports.

“Persona or principles or values should be a reflection of the country as a whole, and I think that when you’re competing on a big stage and you’re representing the country, you know there’s a lot of people watching, [and] it’s up to you to represent what you hold to be true and what principles or values you find important,” Jung-Ruivivar said.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jung-Ruivivar had another opportunity to represent the Philippines. Jonathan Tan ’27 also represented his own country, Singapore, in swimming. He participated in the 50m and 100m free.

“It was amazing. That has been my dream since I was a kid,” Tan said. 

Competing at the Olympics not only fulfilled their individual dreams but also inspired others from their country as they garnered support. Jung-Ruivivar and Tan described their respective national teams as very tight-knit at the Olympic Games, though there were also opportunities to make connections with and meet athletes from many different countries.

Athletes also engage in international affairs off the field. At Stanford, Jung-Ruivivar has become involved in politics, speaking at a Democracy Day 2024 event entitled “All Vote No Play.” There, “current Stanford Olympians from democracies across the world discuss[ed] what civic engagement means to them and their countries.” 

Meanwhile, Tan had the unique experience of serving in the army. In his country, Singapore, every male is required to perform two years of service.

“In general, I think it was a great experience,” he said. “In Singapore, we always call it a rite of passage. You have to do it, and everyone goes through it differently.” 

Though his service did interfere with his swimming training, it also taught him independence and allowed him to gain the experience of representing his country in another avenue besides athletics. The first year Tan served, he could only swim on the weekends or late at night alone because army training occupied most of his time. Other days, Tan was unable to train at all because he was out on expeditions “in the jungle.” 

These days Tan balances athletics with something else — being a student at Stanford. 

“I try to finish all my work before the weekend…so I can chill over the weekends and meet some friends,” Tan said.

Being an international student also adds another level of challenge. One way students can adjust to living in the United States is by finding community. Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas ’26, Anna Ghuliani ’26 and Guido Leonardi ’26 started the Community of International Student-Athletes (CISA) during their first year on campus in 2022. CISA helps students obtain SIM cards in the United States, register for a Social Security number and establish strong networks with other international student-athletes. Though it started with a few frosh meetings in dorm lounges, the club has now expanded to hosting bonfires and information sessions. 

“We wanted to expand it and make it more accessible to freshmen coming in [by] having a place for them to ask questions and a more direct form of help,” Tenconi-Gradillas said.

Tan has attended CISA with some of his international teammates, and he said that it was a good place to mix with people from various countries. Tenconi-Gradillas agrees.

“I think it can only be a positive thing to bring so many people over here from different countries. [They] have their ways that they’ve been brought up [in],” Tenconi-Gradillas said. 

Jung-Ruivivar extends this importance of diversity of experience to Stanford as a whole. 

“Being able to feed off each other’s energy and motivate one another to pursue a higher level of excellence is something that’s very common at Stanford,” she said. “I really love that energy.”