Unsure of own future, Finnegan wants ‘army of gymnasts’ for PH

Philippines’ Aleah Finnegan is seen prior to compete in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)

Aleah Finnegan hasn’t committed to trying her luck anew in the next Olympics in Los Angeles 2028, but she’s all in for the growth of gymnastics locally.

Finnegan and fellow Paris Olympian Emma Malabuyo were in town for the Yes Girl training clinic at MVPSF Gymnastics Center in Intramuros, Manila, on Sunday where over 80 young aspirants showed up in the event organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.

“I don’t have too many plans. I’m heading back to school in two weeks and I’ll graduate in May. I’m just taking it one step at a time after graduation,’’ said the 21-year-old Finnegan in response to a query about LA 2028.

The Southeast Asian Games double-gold medalist might have finished 47th at the end of the women’s artistic gymnastics meet in Paris, but working her way up for LA is definitely attainable.

“It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no, so we’ll just kind of see where the wind takes me,’’ said Finnegan, a business marketing major at Louisiana State University (LSU).

Prior to her Paris stint, the prized Filipino-American helped the LSU women’s gymnastics team capture the US NCAA championships early this year.

Finnegan was the first Filipino woman to reach the Olympics since 1964 and wrote more history with Malabuyo and another Fil-foreign gymnast, Levi Ruivivar, in Paris despite missing the medal competition.

The trio was unable to attend the heroes’ parade last week and Finnegan would rather not dwell on it.

“I’ve been very blessed and I’m really thankful to GAP for teaching these kids. The reason we came here to the Philippines was for this clinic,’’ said Finnegan.

“We just have to keep on doing this (clinics) and soon we’re gonna expand. That’s how we can build an army (of gymnasts),’’ said Finnegan, a 2023 bronze medalist in the vault and balance beam of the 2023 Asian championships. INQ