“Feeling blessed & so so grateful. This comeback was so much more than my return to elite gymnastics.” These heartfelt words from Suni Lee reflect her emotional journey leading up to the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials. In 2023, Lee battled a debilitating kidney disease that left her fearing she might never don her leotard again. However, just a year later, the 2019 World Championship gold medalist is back and better than ever.

As Lee battles through her ailing body, she stands alongside Simone Biles and other top competitors, facing one of her biggest challenges yet. Her return is not just about competing but about proving to herself that she can overcome significant obstacles and inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite setbacks. Lee’s resilience and determination make her story one of the most compelling at the trials.

Suni Lee overcomes illness for US Olympic Trials comeback

In a recent interview with Olympics.com, gymnast Suni Lee shared her hopes for the Summer Games this year. She recalled waiting with anticipation at the end of the US Championships, hardly believing it when she made it through to the trials. “I was constantly asking like, ‘Oh my gosh, did I make Trials? Did I make Trials?’ And everyone’s like, ‘Yeah, duh, you got the red [national team] jacket!’” she said. Lee emphasized her focus on maintaining composure and working on consistency, stating, “I’m just trying to keep my composure, and now I know I just have to go back to the gym and work on my consistency, get my bar routine with full difficulty a and keep staying consistent on beam”. She concluded by expressing confidence that she doesn’t need to do anything more.

Lee has had a difficult journey; she suddenly fell ill last February. The condition went undiagnosed until she gained 40 pounds due to water retention and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. Lee said that during that time, her morale was so low that she used to just rot in bed. Doctors even said she would never compete again. This also forced Lee to cut short her NCAA career at Auburn University.

However, she trained through those hard times and is now ready enough to qualify for the trials. In some ways, her journey can be compared to Simone Biles’. Both went through very tough times, which plunged them into depression and caused bad mental health days. However, through determination, they overcame the setbacks and marched forward toward the Olympics. Lee has also expressed her fear of not being able to replicate her past success. She told Self, “I look at myself all the time in videos, and it makes me emotional because I’m just not the same athlete I was before”. But her journey so far is a testament to her strength. 

Suni Lee’s road to the trials: Olympic preparation and winning chances

In the Tokyo Olympics, Suni Lee made history by becoming the first-ever Asian-American woman to win a gold medal in the all-around event. Additionally, she earned a silver medal in the team event and a bronze on the uneven bars. She also clinched the 2022 NCAA Championships’ gold medal for the balance beam, placing 2nd overall. This year, as she moves into the trials, Suni Lee is sure to face not only fierce competition but also uncertainty due to her illness. However, her doctor, Dr. Faustin, said that Suni and her coaches have embraced the reality that it’s not going to be like 2021. If Lee continues to listen to her body and maintain confidence, she can adjust her training as needed and once again find success on the mat.

In the trials, Suni Lee will face off against Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, Shilese Jones, and Jordan Chiles. She will also compete against Simone Biles, who is a favorite to qualify for the Olympic team given her consistently excellent performance over the 2024 season, including the Core Hydration Classics and the Xfinity US Championship. Lee spoke about her feelings going against the GOAT, saying, “I feel like my mindset switched to the way it was before, where I’m like, Okay, now I’m just competing for second”. Since Biles’ return, other gymnasts seem to be vying for silver at best, with Lee adding, “Sometimes you don’t think that you’re even capable of winning anymore.” From the 16 total gymnasts invited to perform at the trials, only five will qualify for the Olympics. Here’s hoping one of them is Suni Lee.