Two incurable kidney diseases, lack of training, post-depression—but she didn’t let the chips fall, where they may! Suni Lee has consistently risen above every obstacle. On July 30, the Minnesota native proved she’s truly one of gymnastics’ greats, guiding Team USA to gold in the Paris Olympics’ team all-around competition. Already a gold medalist in the individual all-around from the 2020 Tokyo Games, Suni dazzled on bars, beams, and floors in Paris. While she was expected to roll out a new skill, she decided to stick with her reliable routines. But why?

Over the past year, Suni Lee has frequently shared updates about her training for a new skill. This new element in her uneven bars routine involves a release move where a gymnast performs a front flip with a full twist in a layout position. Lee, a member of the U.S. team, was aiming to become the first woman ever to execute this move in international competition. But she didn’t. However, she recently revealed why she decided not to attempt it at the Paris Olympics.

The dilemma of “The Lee” of Suni Lee

In a recent interview on the Olympics website, conducted by six-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, Suni Lee discussed her journey to making her second Olympic team and her impressive performance on the uneven bars. When Raisman asked, “How are you feeling right now?” Suni replied, “It’s still not setting in; it doesn’t feel real. I mean, I just can’t believe that I made it to this point and that I’m going to the Olympics.” Raisman then inquired about Suni’s routine on bars, asking if she goes on autopilot or focuses on each skill individually. It’s worth noting Lee’s score of 14.566 was the second-highest for uneven bars during the second rotation.

In response, Lee said, “I think about the first skill because I feel how you start off the first skill really sets up the rest of the bar routine. Like, yesterday, my Nabieva was way better than day one. I could have connected my Maloney half, but I was like, ‘We’re not even taking that risk right now.’ I just stayed on the bar, so then I just focus on swinging. That’s my main thing—just swing. Because when I swing, that’s when I do best, rather than when I’m overthinking and telling myself too many things.”

Raisman then asked, “So, do you see all the dream routines that fans on Twitter create for you?” Suni replied, “They just can’t come out because it’s not like consistent enough. I don’t want to risk that. Like, I just want to go to the Olympics and get the medal, rather than like getting my skill made and falling on it.” Despite fans frequently showcasing her full-twisting Jaeger, Lee chose not to include it in her routine, focusing instead on maintaining consistency and ensuring a strong performance.

If Suni Lee had successfully executed the skill at the Games, it would have been named “The Lee,” marking the first time a skill was named after her in the sport’s Code of Points. Although a few skills are named each year, only a select few gymnasts achieve this honor. “The Lee” would have been among the most challenging elements on the women’s uneven bars. However, for Suni to reach this far wasn’t smooth sailing.

Lee overcomes health crisis to shine again in the Olympics

In February 2023, Suni Lee was taken aback by unexplained swelling, which she initially attributed to her rigorous training schedule. Her ankles were the first to swell, followed by her face, hands, and legs. This unexpected condition forced her to cut short her NCAA gymnastics season at Auburn University and pause her training for six months.

The kidney disease threw her for a loop, leaving her weaker and in need of physical therapy to stay fit. With a changed training regimen that focuses on deliberate movements rather than endless repetitions, Suni found a turning point in early 2024, which reignited her dedication to gymnastics. Now in remission, she attributes her comeback to a well-managed medication regimen and the steadfast support of her medical team and teammates, who helped her stay on course and regain her strength. Here she is, Olympian again, rising to the challenge!