“Thought About Quitting”: Ailing Suni Lee Was Once Ready to Give Up Paris Olympics Dream

Suni Lee is heading to her second Olympics with Team USA. This sentence would have seemed like a far-fetched dream for her in 2023, given the heartbreaking health concerns that kept her out of competition for most of the year. Just months after her triumph at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Suni Lee announced her bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics. But her path to the Olympics hit a snag when she faced not one but two forms of kidney disease.

Yet, with resilience and determination, she’s bounced back and secured her spot at the Paris Olympics. In the live press conference by USA Gymnastics following the 2024 US Olympic Trials, Suni was asked how this journey feels different from 2021. She replied, “This one feels so different. Like I said out there, we didn’t even think I would be here, so everything is hitting me like a freaking roller coaster.”

She explained how overwhelmed with emotion she’s been, adding, “I’m just so happy and I’m so so glad that I never gave up. Because there were so many times where I thought about just quitting and just walking away from the sport because I didn’t think I’d ever reach this point and I didn’t want to let myself down.”

Suni continued, “But I’m so glad I had people around me who kept me motivated and helped me through all the tough times. Yeah, I wouldn’t be here without them.” As we reflect on these words, let’s delve into the hardships she endured on her journey back to the Olympic stage.

Suni Lee’s journey back to sport amid battling two kidney diseases

In February 2023, Suni Lee began experiencing abnormal swelling throughout her body—ankles, face, hands, and legs. By April 3, 2023, she had made the tough decision to retire early from Auburn University’s gymnastics team due to a serious health issue concerning her kidneys. She shared, “I have been dealing with a non-gymnastics health related issue involving my kidneys. For my safety, the medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks.” 

The then-20-year-old 2021 Olympic all-around champion was battling symptoms like swelling, cramping, headaches, hot flashes, and cold spells. This led to the diagnosis of two forms of kidney disease, though she has chosen not to disclose their names due to their progressive nature. Taking a break from gymnastics starting in March 2023, Lee even faced some mental health struggles, feeling lonely and depressed. She candidly admitted, “During that time, I was honestly not doing a lot of anything good for me, I was just kind of rotting in my bed and hoping that it would all go away.”

After months of uncertainty, January 2024 brought some good news—her condition was getting better. By March, Lee was back to training, adjusting her routines, and doing physical therapy. She made her comeback at the 2024 Winter Cup, facing challenges on the uneven bars and balance beam. She nailed first place on the balance beam at the American Classic and shined at the Core Hydration Classic, where she returned to floor exercise since the Tokyo Olympics, also taking the top spot on the beam.

Despite some setbacks at the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships, like downgraded routines and a fall on vault, she finished fourth all-around and grabbed a silver medal on beam, earning her place on the U.S. National Team for the Olympic team trials. Today, as she makes her way back to the Olympic stage, where she made history in 2021 as the first Hmong-American Olympian, it’s clear that her comeback over the past year highlights the immense resilience Suni has shown. What could have been the end of her gymnastics career has propelled her to the pinnacle of sports once again. How do you feel about Suni Lee’s incredible journey back to the Olympics?