The 2024 Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan was just announced as the muse of the Meralco Bolts, a few days before the new PBA season tips off. Meralco is coming off from their first PBA championship in last season’s Philippine Cup.
"Celebrating the strength and energy of Filipino athletes, the Meralco Bolts are thrilled to announce Aleah Finnegan as the team's muse for the 2024-25 PBA Season," the team said.
The Philippines has not been able to send female gymnasts since the 1964 games. But this year, Finnegan joins Levi Jung Ruivivar of Stanford University and Emma Malabuyo of UCLA in Paris.
Finnegan described being one of the few Filipino gymnasts at the Games as a feat and an honor.
The two-time Southeast Asian Games medalist is also grateful for the country’s continued support for her.
"I've competed for the Philippines for the past few years now and just they've embraced me with everything," she said, "with all the love and support that I have received, it's special to me."
The proud Fil-Am said she is ready to represent the Philippines where her mother Linnabelle was born and raised.
"Each competition that I go to is an opportunity to give back to my mom," Finnegan added. "And give back to my family [for] the sacrifices that they made for me to be able to do gymnastics."
Finnegan though said that gymnastics has not been all sunshine and rainbows. Her first bid for the Olympics in 2020 did not turn out exactly as planned.
Her childhood dream was shattered at the time, which almost pushed her to give up gymnastics for good.
But a call from the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines to compete in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games changed all that.
Not only did she win gold at the SEA Games and Asian Gymnastics Championships, but she also earned her spot in Paris at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
"I'm just so thankful for my mom and my sister’s support," said Finnegan, "the coaches, for pushing me to just go for no matter what happened. I didn't know what the outcome was going to look like even just for that one competition."
Her family's unconditional support is a huge thing for Finnegan, especially from her mother. Despite the challenges, she said making it to the Paris Games is a dream come true.
"The Olympics [is the] peak of your gymnastics career," she said. "Gymnastics doesn't have a pro sport like this is the pro version of it. You can't do it for so long unless you're the rare kind that goes longer than most."
The Meralco Bolts reported that, "Finnegan proudly represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is a two-time SEA Games gold medalist. She has also earned two gold medals from the USA NCAA Championships, along with commendable performances in the Asian Championships and Pan-American Games."
The 21-year-old finished the women’s all-around competition of her Olympic debut in the 47th spot.
"As we gear up for another exciting PBA season, we are honored to celebrate the achievements of Filipino athletes like Aleah Finnegan," the Bolts said.
"Her journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the relentless spirit that drives us all. The Meralco Bolts look forward to standing alongside Aleah as we continue to electrify the court and inspire our fans," it added.
Starting the hype for PBA Season 49, is a battle between the Bolts and the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados at their 7:30 P.M on 18 August, Sunday.
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