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Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo are two prominent Filipino-American gymnasts who have garnered attention not only for their athletic achievements but also for their recent experiences surrounding the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both athletes represented the Philippines in gymnastics, a sport that demands exceptional strength, agility, and dedication.

Their journey to the Olympics was marked by years of intense training and competition, primarily in the United States, before they made the decision to compete for the Philippines on the international stage.

Aleah Finnegan was born on January 4, 2003, in Missouri, USA. She is part of a family deeply rooted in gymnastics, with her older sister, Sarah Finnegan, also being a former U.S. National Team member. Aleah began gymnastics at a very young age, displaying a natural talent for the sport.

She trained at Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE), one of the top gymnastics clubs in the United States, where she honed her skills and developed into a world-class gymnast.

Aleah’s gymnastics career took off when she competed as a junior elite gymnast in the U.S. In 2019, she was a member of the U.S. team that won gold at the Pan American Games. Aleah was known for her powerful vaults and elegant floor routines, which made her a strong contender in international competitions.

In 2022, she made the decision to switch her allegiance to the Philippines, a move that was celebrated by the Filipino gymnastics community. Aleah’s switch was motivated by her desire to honor her Filipino heritage and contribute to the development of gymnastics in the Philippines.

 Emma Malabuyo was born on November 5, 2002, in Mountain View, California. Like Aleah, Emma began gymnastics at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks in the U.S. gymnastics scene. She trained at Texas Dreams Gymnastics under renowned coaches Kim Zmeskal and Chris Burdette, where she developed into one of the most promising gymnasts of her generation.

Emma’s early career was marked by numerous successes, including winning multiple medals at the U.S. National Championships and the Pacific Rim Championships.

Emma was a key member of the U.S. junior national team and later the senior national team. She was known for her consistency and grace on the balance beam, as well as her powerful tumbling on the floor exercise. In 2021, Emma was an alternate for the U.S. gymnastics team at the Tokyo Olympics.

Like Aleah, she made the decision to represent the Philippines, driven by a desire to connect with her Filipino roots and help elevate the country’s gymnastics program.

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone for both Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo as they competed under the Philippine flag. Despite their best efforts, the competition proved to be incredibly tough. Aleah Finnegan finished 47th in the all-around competition, while Emma Malabuyo placed 41st.

Unfortunately, neither gymnast advanced to the medal rounds, but their participation was still a historic moment for Philippine gymnastics, as it highlighted the growing presence of the country in the sport on the world stage.

Their performance in Paris was a testament to their dedication and skill, but the aftermath of the Olympics brought them into the spotlight for a different reason. Both athletes were notably absent from a heroes’ welcome event held at Malacañang Palace, which celebrated the Filipino athletes who competed in the Olympics. The absence of Aleah and Emma from this event sparked controversy, as they revealed that they were not informed about the event. The Presidential Communications Office claimed that all Olympians were invited through the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), but Aleah and Emma stated that they did not receive any notification.

This situation led to a public outcry, with many expressing disappointment over the apparent oversight. Both gymnasts expressed their hurt and disappointment at being excluded from the event, especially after dedicating years of hard work to represent the Philippines. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by athletes who compete for countries outside their place of birth, as well as the need for better communication and support from sports governing bodies.

In conclusion, Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo are remarkable athletes who have made significant contributions to Philippine gymnastics. Their journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics was filled with challenges and triumphs, and although they did not bring home medals, they remain an inspiration to young gymnasts in the Philippines. Their exclusion from the Malacañang event was a regrettable oversight that underscored the importance of recognizing and honoring the efforts of all athletes who represent the country on the global stage.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo IG: Rappler