Fil-Am athletes Aleah Finnegan, Mitchell Saron grateful for Olympic debut
mitchellsaron/Instagram, aleahfinn/Instagram
It was a proud moment for Filipinos as three Filipinas competed in the all-around gymnastics qualifiers at the Paris Olympics for the first time in 60 years.
Among them was Filipino American athlete Aleah Finnegan, who not only realized her Olympic dream but also expressed immense gratitude for the journey that led her there.
“Forever an Olympian,” Finnegan proclaimed in a lengthy Instagram post, reflecting on her Olympic experience. “I can’t even begin to describe how much this competition has meant to me and my family. From dreaming about the Olympics since I was a little girl to finally being out on the floor. Thank you, Jesus, for this crazy journey I get to call my life. TGBG!”
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Though she fell short of a spot in the finals, Finnegan’s performance and the smiles she maintained throughout their routines at the Bercy Arena resonated with many. She recorded scores of 13.733 in vault, 12.566 in uneven bars, 11.466 on the balance beam and 12.733 in floor exercise.
Like any other athlete, Finnegan’s journey to the Olympics was marked by unwavering support from her family. “To my family, thank you for supporting me no matter what. For always pushing me to chase my dreams even when I didn’t think they were possible. To my dad, who I know is smiling down from heaven, he always believed I would be here someday,” she shared.
She also extended her gratitude to her coaches from LSU and GAGE. “I wouldn’t be here if not for the help, patience, sacrifice, and hard work from everyone included. Thank you for supporting me.”
Expressing her deep appreciation to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the entire Philippine community, Finnegan said, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent this beautiful country and accepting me with open arms. I am honored to wear this flag on my chest.”
She added, “I didn’t think this post would be sappy, but… oops!! If you made it this far, thank YOU for all the kind, supportive, sweet messages I have received. I love you all so dearly. & excited to what is to come!”
Meanwhile, for Team USA’s Mitchell Saron, a Filipino American Harvard student fencer, the Olympics also marked a significant milestone.
“Yesterday, I became an Olympian,” Saron shared. “Thank you to [Paris 2024] for a fantastic venue and crowd. Thank you to everyone who flew here to support and woke up back home to watch. It means the world.”
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Saron described the intense emotions of competing on such a grand stage and shared how overwhelming it was to compete there.
“Four years of anticipation leads to so much fear, anxiety, and doubt for every single athlete,” he added. “When you’re about to walk out for your first match, everything in your body is telling you to run the other way. It’s a privilege to feel this amount of pressure. It’s only around once every four years.”
Although Saron entered the Summer Games as the lowest-seeded American, he performed admirably, becoming the only US male sabre fencer to advance past the first round. In the following round, he faced a formidable challenge against Ziad Elsissy, the top seed and 16th-place finisher at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Saron managed to keep the match competitive but ultimately succumbed to Elsissy’s experience, losing 15-12.
Both Finnegan and Saron’s stories, though representing different countries, highlight the dedication, resilience and gratitude that define the Olympic spirit, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams against all odds.
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