A rollercoaster of emotions. Watching her teammate withdraw. Winning her first all-around Olympic gold medal. This is what the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games looked like for Suni Lee. It almost seemed natural to then shift her focus to the 2024 Paris Olympics, right? But that wasn’t the case for the gymnast. After being diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases the year after, she felt her Parisian dreams slip away. However, after making a few changes to her routine, the 21-year-old dazzled the crowds at Bercy Arena on August 1. Her stunning floor routine towards the end sealed the deal, and she is now an Olympic all-around bronze medalist!

The Olympian spoke to the Today Show the day after, letting everyone in on what the night truly felt like. “It felt absolutely amazing, I mean I was in shock. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to podium.” All she wanted to do was give it her all, but she smashed it right out of the park. However, her coach, Jess Graba, always believed she had it in her. As she walked off the mat after her floor routine, she recalls, “I came off, and my coach went like ‘I told you, I knew you could do it.’ And he’s like ‘I’m just so proud of you because I will always bet on you.’ It means so much.” Someone get us a box of tissues; we can’t take how precious this is.

Fresh off Team USA’s victory at the women’s gymnastics finals, Suni Lee returned to the mat, hoping to defend her all-around title. But riddled with self-doubt, she was up against corps d’elite like Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade. Hoda Kotb asked the gymnast how she felt once she had secured a bronze. Flashing a gentle smile, Lee confessed, “So like coming into my floor routine I really told myself you know we’re just going to end it off the right way and just do everything I can to just, I don’t know, just finish it off.” In her mind, making it to the world’s biggest stage was an accomplishment in itself.

However, they then pointed out how Lee’s coach had previously stated that he would always bet on her because she’s a fighter. Before the last event of the evening, the gymnast was tied in the fourth position with Kaylia Nemour. The only thing that stood between her and the podium was Alice D’Amato, who comfortably finished third on the table. Her phenomenal performance scored 13.666, which was more than enough to catapult her to third place.

She had done it! She had claimed her second all-around Olympic medal amidst a raucous cheer in Bercy Arena. “I obviously started getting a little emotional. I don’t know if you can tell, but I almost started tearing up,” Lee somberly recalled. Even though she wasn’t anticipating making her way back to the world’s biggest stage, her stellar performance in the French capital proved she is a force to be reckoned with. But why was the gymnast unsure of herself?

Suni Lee’s rare disease nearly put an end to her Olympic dreams

Suni Lee broke several hearts when she announced she would be stepping down from her collegiate gymnastics career in 2023. While she hadn’t specified why, she eventually disclosed that she was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases. Her symptoms first started showing up in February last year, but she wasn’t certain until months later. Even though she decided to focus on her health, there were moments when she didn’t think she would be able to compete again.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Artistic Gymnastics – Women’s All-Around Victory Ceremony – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 01, 2024. Gold medallist Simone Biles of United States celebrates with her medal with bronze medallist Sunisa Lee of United States. REUTERS/Mike BlakeDuring this difficult time, she found solace in her coach and compatriots. Her coach decided to adjust her schedule and modify her routines, leading to a triumphant comeback at the Core Hydration Classic in Chicago. Now that her doctors had given her the green light for Paris, resilient as ever, Lee wanted to make the most of it. However, after an unfortunate misstep during one of her meets, the gloomy feelings of self-doubt crept back in.

Simone Biles picked up on this and offered her some much-needed words of encouragement. When Lee told the G.O.A.T. that she was not okay, the 27-year-old knew she had to step in. “I knew she needed a boost and someone to believe in her gymnastics. I wanted her to trust in her abilities and know she could handle the tough moments.” Given how close the two are, watching them atop the podium is even more special.