With her experience at the Paris Olympics, Aleah Finnegan realized her dream

Aleah Finnegan of the Philippines competes on the uneven bars during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games artistic gymnastics qualifying competition at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Manila, Philippines – Despite early elimination, the Philippine gymnast Aaliyah Finnegan still achieved her long-time dream of competing in the Olympics.

She is one of three female gymnasts to represent the Philippines at the Summer Olympics for the first time in six decades.

“Olympian forever,” Finnegan wrote on Instagram. “I can’t express enough how much this Games means to me and my family. From dreaming about competing in the Olympics since I was a little girl to finally getting to compete. Thank you Jesus for this crazy journey, the most important one of my life.”

read: Philippine female gymnast ends 60-year wait for Olympics

Finnegan made her debut alongside fellow Filipino gymnasts Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, but the trio failed to make the finals in the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around and four apparatus events.

She ranked 47th in the individual all-around with 50.498 points, while Ruivivar and Malabuyo ranked 40th and 41st respectively with 51.099 points.

Only the top 24 in the all-around and the top eight in each individual event (a maximum of two gymnasts per country) qualify for the medal round.

read: Paris Olympics: Alaia Finnegan seizes opportunity to represent Philippines

The Louisiana State University standout was the top Filipino athlete on vault, finishing 17th with a score of 13.387. She also scored 12.733 on floor exercise (37th), 12.566 on uneven bars (58th) and 11.466 on balance beam (71st).

Finnegan, who was once a member of the U.S. gymnastics team and will begin competing for the Philippines in 2022, also thanked GAP and POC for paving the way for her competition.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent this beautiful country and for accepting me with open arms. I am honored to wear this flag on my heart,” she added.