Tokyo Olympics all-around champion Suni Lee has secured her spot at the 2024 Paris Games! She proves that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Despite her triumph in 2021, Lee faced uncertainty about returning to her second Olympics due to health challenges, including two types of kidney disease. Her dedication to recovery and collaboration with specialized medical experts made her compete at the highest level once more, reaffirming that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Given her deep understanding of this disease, she has a ray of hope to share!

In a recent post on X, Suni Lee announced her partnership with Kidney Fund, which affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S., equivalent to 15% of the adult population or more than 1 in 7 adults. Suni Lee stated, “I’m excited to share that I’m partnering with @KidneyFund for their new #KnowYourKidneys initiative! 💙 Stay tuned in the coming months as I share more about my own kidney disease experience & resources that can help others seeking a diagnosis.”

While she hasn’t disclosed the specific types of kidney disease she has faced, she emphasized, “My kidney disease has been difficult, and I know firsthand that sometimes the cause of your disease isn’t clear-cut. But I want to encourage others to be informed about their kidney health and self-advocate for a treatment plan that can allow them to live their best life.” Well, it all started in 2023, when Suni Lee faced a daunting uphill battle with the diagnosis of two types of kidney disease, a curveball that forced her to unexpectedly hang up her college gymnastics leotard to focus on her health.

Conquering kidney disease, Suni Lee’s road to the Paris Olympics

Suni Lee shared her journey on social media, the then-20-year-old bravely opened up about her condition, expressing gratitude for the specialized medical team supporting her recovery. Her symptoms, initially marked by severe swelling across her body, led to a series of tests that ultimately uncovered a rare, incurable kidney condition, later identified as two distinct forms of kidney disease. The diagnosis necessitated a significant pivot in Lee’s training regimen as she battled through periods of weakness and uncertainty.

During a hiatus from intensive training, she engaged in physical therapy and adapted workouts to accommodate her health challenges. Reflecting on this challenging period at the Team USA Media Summit in April 2024, Lee acknowledged the unique learning curve for herself and her coaches in managing two concurrent kidney diseases, emphasizing the day-by-day approach to her rehabilitation. By January 2024, rays of hope began to shine through as Lee received promising updates from her medical team, signaling progress in managing her condition.

Speaking optimistically at the same summit, she revealed that her condition was in remission, allowing her to gradually return to her normal training schedule. Encouraged by her improved health, Lee expressed determination to surpass her previous Olympic performance, affirming her belief in overcoming adversity and achieving personal milestones against all odds.