Aleah Finnegan honored with Kansas City award


At a glance

  • Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan added another feather to her cap after receiving the Sportswoman of the Year plum of the 2024 Kansas City Sports (KCS) Awards Thursday, Aug. 29 (Manila time).


Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan added another feather to her cap after receiving the Sportswoman of the Year plum of the 2024 Kansas City Sports (KCS) Awards Thursday, Aug. 29 (Manila time).

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Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan (KCSA)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the 21-year-old Finnegan competed in the women’s artistic gymnastics event of the 2024 Paris Games earlier this month, representing her mom Linabelle's roots, the Philippines which participated in its 100th year in the quadrennial meet.

“We're thrilled to celebrate Aleah Finnegan as our Children's Mercy Kansas City Sportswoman of the Year!” KCS wrote in its social media post.

“A powerhouse on the mat, Aleah helped lead LSU to their first National Championship, won the 2024 NCAA floor exercise title, and represented the Philippines at the 2024 Summer Olympics,” it added.

 “Congrats, Aleah, on all your incredible achievements!”

The Pan Am and SEAG champion had historic qualification last October, which was followed by her teammates Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo this year, breaking the 60-year drought of female gymnasts in the grandest sporting stage.

The Filipina trio, however, came up short in entering to the finals of their respective apparatuses. 

American footballer Travis Kelce and his coach Steve Spagnuolo of the Kansas City Chiefs, who copped their second straight Super Bowl win in the National Football League (NFL), were also honored.