Ailing Suni Lee Found Comfort in US Gymnast Jordan Chiles Amid Gut Wrenching Kidney Disease Recovery: ‘I Really Love That Girl’

On the 18th of May, as the crowd held its breath, Suni Lee gracefully landed her final dismount at the U.S. Classic. Despite competing in only three apparatuses – vault, beam, and floor – while Simone Biles claimed victory, the Tokyo 2020 all-around champion Lee found her own triumph at the moment. It’s worth noting Suni returned to US Classics after battling two kidney diseases, stating, “The main goal was just to go back out there, enjoy, have fun, and remember what it feels like to be out there.”

While, Lee soared and scored an impressive score of 14.600 on the beam, surpassing her competitors, including Simone Biles, who secured second place with a score of 14.550, and Konnor McClain, who claimed third with 14.200 on beam. However, it was during the floor routine that Lee encountered hurdles, but she overcame them all. The credit goes to her “supportive” friend, Jordan Chiles, in which Lee found comfort, as she recently revealed, “Jordan is my girl.”

Why Lee wants her homegirl Jordan Chiles by her side

After Lee’s victory in Tokyo 2020, Lee has confronted a plethora of obstacles, all while grappling with a noticeable lack of motivation for the day-to-day grind. Despite these challenges, the 21-year-old gymnast has secured her second Olympic berth, yet her aspirations extend beyond individual glory. She harbors a deep desire for Jordan Chiles to join her on the stage of the Paris Olympics. She leans onto Jordan Chiles like a little child looks for her watchful mother.

In a recent interview on Team USA’s YouTube channel, titled “Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee is back for more than the crown | Team USA Athlete Voices,” Lee candidly shared her journey, revealing her heartfelt connection with Chiles. She also stated in an interview that the bonds she’s forged with her compatriot Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles encompasses beyond the mats. “I think it’s really important. I’m really close to Jordan, And I admire Simone much,” – said Lee once, laser-focused on her desire to team up with her formidable contenders to make her mark for Team USA. She also revealed that Jordan is her safe space, responsible for calming her nerves when she’s under duress. She even exclaimed that Chiles is extremely supportive of her, signifying why they coalesce as a team.

“Everything that she’s been through. She’s such a great example and she continues to shine and every time we see her she gets better and better. We compete against each other, but we are all close and want what’s best for each other. But when we’re at the Olympics it’s like a job. We all support each other and you are competing for Team USA.” – she continued, solidifying their bond. It’s also important where they rank in the grand scheme of things in the recent All-Around at the Core Hydration.

1. Simone Biles- 59.500
2. Shilese Jones- 57.650
3. Jordan Chiles-55.450
4. Jade Carey- 54.400
5. Skye Blakely- 54.350

However, before Suni Lee makes her mark at the Paris Olympics, she faces another significant hurdle where she must prove herself worthy of a spot in the competition. The U.S. Championships, slated for May 30 to June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, serve as a pivotal stepping stone before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in late June. Amidst the anticipation and preparation, one pressing question looms: is Suni Lee’s kidney disease curable?

Suni Lee’s health struggle is like an albatross around her neck

In April 2023, Suni Lee made a difficult decision. She announced her retirement from her NCAA career at Auburn University due to a “non-gymnastics health-related issue” involving her kidneys. Her revelation about her health condition came in late 2023 to Self magazine, where she described it as both incurable and uncommon. Symptoms included significant swelling throughout her body and difficulties with urination, leading to a weight gain of around 40 pounds.

Despite her health challenges, Lee has remained resilient. She has shared that her medical team is exploring her condition further, with hopes that her diagnosis might evolve with additional testing. Meanwhile, she has embarked on a medication regimen to alleviate her symptoms. Now, back in training full-time, Lee is dedicating eight hours a day to her gym routine and making promising progress. Her dedication and hard work raise the question: can she secure a spot in the Olympics? With her talent and determination, there’s every reason to believe she can. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your comments below.