Suffering From Anxiety Attack, Suni Lee Confesses To Gymnastics Coach’s Olympic Debut Saving Words

Performance anxiety. Many go through it. But imagine yourself performing at the Olympics, with every spectator’s eyes on you. A single hair is out of place, and people notice. That’s exactly how Suni Lee felt at the Tokyo Olympics. While no one expected the then 18-year-old to beat the likes of Simone Biles to come out at the top, she did just that. But gymnastics being one of the most mentally demanding sports, the feat was not an easy one.

It turns out, Lee suffered from an anxiety attack right before her glory. She recently sat down with KPRC 2 Click2Houston on YouTube and narrated what took place. While she navigated through several topics, one of them stood out largely. Commenting on her 2021 antics, she gave a sneak peek into a surprising detail. Lee admitted facing a panic attack that morning, just before going out for the performance, as she claimed, “I woke up that morning with like an anxiety attack. And I was like, uh-oh, this is not gonna be good.”

“And I remember like talking to my coach and he was like ‘Why? Just go out there and do what you normally do. Like, don’t try any harder. Like, you don’t have to do anything. You prepared for this moment already like, this is your opportunity.'”

And well, that talk with her coach worked like magic. Suni Lee not only clinched gold but also ended 2023 with a couple of All-American titles. However, why is gymnastics such a mentally demanding sport? In a research thesis published in 2024 by Clare McCall from Edith Cowan University, Australia, factors such as perfectionism, performance anxiety, fear of failure, or injury are some common reasons. Perfectionism may be particularly conspicuous in achievement-oriented sports like gymnastics.

Previously, Simone Biles also spoke about it and how she would get all anxious before her performance. “I still get nervous on competition days because every competition is a new day. It’s a new chance to prove to yourself you can do it and to prove to everybody else what your training was like and what you’re made of… It’s that anticipation of waiting and waiting. Once I usually salute, and I start on whatever equipment it is, my nerves usually go away.”

She went a bit further and shared what would do when anxious. Staying focused and working on your breathing, engaging in positive self-talk, and listening to music are some things she does to calm herself down. But coming back to Suni Lee, in the same interview, she spoke about her plans for the 2024 Paris Olympics. What does she have on her mind?

Suni Lee wants to hunt in groups!

Ahead of the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Lee is training hard to get the gold, hoping for glory once again. However, this time, she has a slightly different vision. Speaking about the same, the Olympic gold winner confirmed that she wanted to team up with Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, planning to collectively bring in victories for America. 

“I am really close with Jordan and she’s like one of my really good friends. Simone is someone who continuously inspires me and I look up to her a lot just because she continues to get better and better every single time that we see her… But it’s really important because once you get out there, you are a team and you are competing for Team USA,” she said about her dynamics with Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles.

And her dreams might not be that far-fetched. Simone Biles will be kicking off her campaign at the US Classics next year. Jordan Chiles, too, is now looking to be in promising form. Thus, Team USA can surely dream about another successful outing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. What’s your take on Suni Lee’s wish for this Olympics game? Let us know below.