Battling Two Kidney Diseases, Suni Lee Makes a Saddening Update on Recovery for Gymnastics Fans: “Been Hard”

With just 100 days remaining for the Paris Olympics 2024 and the torch being lit, Olympic champions and their legion of fans eagerly await their return to the grandest stage of them all. Among the athletes set to make a comeback is gymnastics sensation Suni Lee, the first Hmong-American Olympian and the inaugural Asian American woman to clinch the Olympic all-around title. Lee’s return in 2024 comes after a year of adversity. Just a day ago, on April 15, Nancy Armour of USA Today shared that Lee disclosed that “she actually had TWO kidney diseases.”

She shared that the initial diagnosis was a blessing in disguise, as “If I had not gotten the other kidney disease, they wouldn’t have found out I had this kidney disease until later on, when I had Stage IV kidney failure.” During this tumultuous period, the 21-year-old ended her collegiate career at Auburn University prematurely and sat out at the U.S. Women’s Worlds Selection Camp. Now, as the competitions for U.S. women gymnasts are set to commence, Suni Lee, who is battling two kidney diseases, made a sad update on her recovery for gymnastics fans.

Suni Lee opens up about how her health has affected her gymnastics

In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com Suni Lee opened up about her return to competition, slowly getting back into form and preparing for the Paris Olympics. She mentioned that all her skills are returning, and she’s focusing on consistency in her training. Lee and her coach, Jess Graba, are deciding between routines that prioritize cleanliness and consistency versus routines that aim for higher scores but might be riskier.

Sunisa Lee shared, “It’s kind of been hard because my stamina is just not fully there yet.“ She added, “We’re just working on getting my stamina up and, then, cleaning everything up.” The next competition she takes part in would be the second time Suni Lee performs in 2024, after the setbacks she faced at the Winter Cup 2024. So, will she be making it to the American Classic next week?

Will she compete at the American Classic?

Suni Lee’s coach, Jess Graba, initially indicated to Inside Gymnastics magazine that they were considering having Lee compete at the American Classic, which is scheduled for April 25–28 in Katy, Texas. However, Graba also mentioned that their focus is to ensure Lee is fully prepared for the Core Hydration Classic 2024, which will be held on May 17–18 in Hartford, Connecticut. Both events serve as qualifiers for the 2024 U.S. Championships, a pivotal stepping stone toward the U.S. Trials in June, where the top five athletes will secure their spots to represent the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Despite Graba’s indication, Suni Lee expressed uncertainty, stating, “I’m not sure if I’m doing American Classic quite yet.” But fret not! Suni Lee is among the notable athletes registered for The Core Hydration Classic, alongside icons like Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. As fans wait to witness the fruition of her efforts, they eagerly anticipate her redemption from her roadblocks as she charts her course to her second Olympics.