The 2024 gymnastics season has merely announced its arrival and it has already grown to be a season for enthusiasts to reminisce about in years to come. One of the major roots of the stance lies in the return of the 2020 Olympic all-around champion, Suni Lee. The 20-year-old star’s successful battle through adversities was a box awaiting to be ticked by thousands. And come Winter Cup, the wish seems to witness a positive sign.

Suni Lee earlier this month revealed to be making her elite stage comeback at the 2024 Winter Cup. It would be the Olympian’s first big stage following withdrawal from the Worlds and Pan Am previously. The journey through this is news to not many. However, the details of it have remained closely guarded until Lee’s recent revelations on the topic.

Suni Lee credits support during struggles

Suni Lee recently sat for an exclusive with Olympics.com, talking about finding her way back to competitions. Among the many struggles, the Olympian touched upon the light that significantly helped her through coach Jess Graba. He has been a long-time coach of Suni Lee helping her through crucial turns in her life. “Thank you for being my dad, best friend, and coach all in one,” Lee had previously written. Today, she backed the claim by offering his significance when the journey brought loneliness as she shut people out.

“I’ve really just been depending on my support system because during that time, I was kind of pushing everybody away… He’s [Graba] part of the reason why I got back out of my slump,” were Suni Lee’s words. Backing her applause, Graba further highlights how Suni is a people person and hiding herself hasn’t been healthy. The observation helped the coach understand how to help the Olympian get back on track, or at least out of the loneliness.

Nonetheless, the team managed to get Suni Lee out of her cocoon and into practice by Christmas. Though the weeks that followed presented a difficult scenario, it was nonetheless a step ahead. A step leading her to the 2024 Winter Cup and the spirit to plan the route ahead.

A hope back in sight

Making her return, Suni Lee will be focusing majorly on bars and beams at the 2024 Winter Cup. Herein, the Olympian will also look to execute new skills on the bars. However, the occasion will only be a ground to further propel to the Baku World Cup on March 9th and 10th.

Also Read: “Rotting in my Bed”- Suni Lee Recalls Being in the Grip of a Hallowing Incurable Disease

If the 20-year-old were to successfully perform her full-twisting layout Jaeger on the uneven bars, the element would be named ‘The Lee’ after her. “I feel like my biggest goal right now is to get this skill named in Baku,” Suni Lee admits. Olympics in mind or not, the champion is walking a path of confidence.

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