Suni Lee has been through so much, battling two incurable kidney diseases. Qualifying for the Paris Olympics has always been her dream, especially because there was a time when she thought she might never be able to do gymnastics again. After competing at the US Classic in August 2023, her health declined, forcing her to take six months off. By January, she was cleared to train just seven months before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, before the Olympic trials, she needed an infusion due to a relapse, which left her feeling exhausted and swollen. Fortunately, that treatment made a significant difference, allowing her to focus on her training again.

When the trials rolled around in late June, she came in second, securing her spot on Team USA and hitting all her goals. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing; she faced plenty of ups and downs that really tested her resilience.

Recently, GymCastic dropped this news on X, linking to a Glamour article titled “Suni Lee Is So Ready for What’s Next.” Watching this, Suni revealed a surprising detail that fans weren’t aware of: she contracted COVID the week after the Olympic trials. As Suni’s comment reads, “and then getting covid the week after Olympic trials.” This revelation adds another layer to her already outstanding journey, especially since she now has six Olympic medals, tying her for third-most among U.S. female gymnasts with Aly Raisman. Only Simone Biles and Shannon Miller have more.

Together, Lee and Biles are the only two Americans to win multiple Olympic all-around medals. So, the question arises: could we see Lee compete at the LA 2028 Olympics?

The unstoppable spirit of Suni Lee through it all

Suni Lee isn’t quite ready to think about her future in gymnastics just yet, but if the 2028 LA Olympics are in her sights, she wants to keep things simple and low-key. She expressed a desire to focus solely on her training, saying she’d prefer not to have any elaborate stories surrounding her journey. For her, it’s all about putting in the hard work in the gym every day and earning what she deserves at the Olympics.

As she put it, “I just want to go into the gym and work hard.” Lee emphasized that she doesn’t want any more adversity or pity; she just wants the opportunity to train hard and let her performance speak for itself.

However, less than a year after her amazing victory in Tokyo, Sunisa Lee announced that she was going for the 2024 Paris Games. But her journey to the Olympics hit a rough patch in 2023 when she was diagnosed with an incurable kidney disease.

In early 2023, Lee shocked fans when she revealed she was stepping away from college gymnastics to deal with some serious kidney issues. She experienced severe swelling all over her body, which led to a diagnosis of not just one but two rare forms of kidney disease. This meant leaving school and adjusting her training to fit her new reality.

Despite these challenges, Lee remained hopeful, and by January 2024, she learned her condition was in remission. Feeling stronger than ever, she was genuinely excited about her progress and what she could accomplish.

As Lee celebrates her achievements in Paris, her journey highlights not just her physical resilience but also her focus on mental health. She has openly discussed the impact of her health challenges. She even expresses appreciation for the assistance provided by her healthcare professionals and teammates alike. Lee highlights the importance of therapy keeping a journal in managing her emotions and maintaining her sense of stability.

After facing challenges in her life journey so far, Lee has emerged as a passionate supporter of mental wellness. It clearly reminds everyone that it’s perfectly okay to ask for help and to prioritize well-being while pursuing your dreams.