“All medals are something special to me,” Suni Lee said after the Paris Olympics. She returned home with pride in her eyes following a challenging final performance on the balance beam. Although she missed the podium in that event, Suni still secured three medals—a gold in the team event and two bronzes in the all-around and uneven bars—solidifying her place among America’s all-time greatest gymnasts. Reflecting on her journey, Suni shared, “I think there’s a lot of things to be proud of this time around, just because I had to overcome so much.” 

Despite the hurdles, she was proud of her accomplishments and was already looking forward to a simple joy—enjoying her comfort food at home. Did Suni Lee’s dream come true after the Paris Olympics? Her hometown made sure of it. Fresh off her Olympic journey, Suni was welcomed with open arms and cheering fans. The community that had supported her from afar finally had the chance to celebrate their golden gymnast in person. It was a moment Suni had longed for since her early days on the global stage.

Homecoming triumph: Suni Lee celebrates Olympic success with loved ones and comfort food

Team Sunisa Lee’s Facebook page recently posted photos of Suni Lee celebrating with friends and family. The caption read, “And Pho it is…. Close friends and family welcome Suni home with a home-cooked meal,” highlighting that her craving for pho was fulfilled. Just days earlier, in her final post-competition interview with NBC Chicago, Suni had shared her longing for a comforting meal. When asked about her celebration meal, she said, “I want some pho. I’ve been craving pho or some type of soup anywhere I look here, I just can’t find it. But yeah.” She laughed, “That’s so Asian of me.” After winning the gold medal, Suni only wanted to enjoy the simple comfort of her favorite soup.

The proud moment for Suni Lee was when she carried precious cargo with her, which included three Olympic medals. Despite struggling with severe kidney disease, she still gave her best and contributed to Team USA in gymnastics. “I think there’s a lot of things to be proud of this time around, just because I had to overcome so much,” she told the reporters of Olympics.com. She even further exaggerated and said how pathetic the recovery days were for Suni. But, ultimately, she bounced back and brought medals. As Suni Lee touched down in the Twin Cities, she was greeted by a wave of cheers, bouquets, and hugs. The Olympic gymnast arrived with her gold medal in the team event and bronze medals in the all-around and on bars.

About 50 people eagerly awaited her arrival, including young gymnasts, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. They cheered with excitement each time the doors opened, and their enthusiasm quickly caught the attention of other travelers. People on a balcony overlooking the ticketing lines stopped to take photos, and some travelers joined the celebration as they passed through the airport. The terminal buzzed with cheers as Lee walked through, with airport police and TSA agents joining in the excitement, whooping along with the crowd as cameras flashed.

Lee smiled and thanked everyone as she walked through the crowd, appreciating their warm welcome. “I really, really wanted to meet her in person,” said one young fan eagerly awaiting Suni’s arrival. The welcome was so grand that many greeted her with beautiful flowers and signs. Lee’s food cravings have been a talking point since Tokyo 2021 when, after winning gold in the women’s all-around, she mentioned in the post-conference that she was craving pizza. Later, she satisfied that craving and posted a picture of herself in bed, smiling in her Olympics gear while holding a slice of pizza. Fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and she once again shared her food craving, which quickly sparked reactions from her fans.

Fans reacted to Suni Lee’s ‘Pho’ craving on X

The gymnastics one of the most decorated gymnasts has recently snatched the limelight as she shared her ‘home food’ craving. As a picture of Suni Lee having a hot bowl of ‘Pho’ went viral, fans reacted quickly. A fan reacted to X in an ‘aww’ tone, “Cute pictures.   Enjoy your well deserved Pho! Very happy for Suni that she did so well in Paris … Well done Suni … WELL DONE!  🐸💕🤸🏽‍♂️⭐️🎉🎶✨🫶🏻💐🌟,” expressing the overjoyed situation for Suni’s accomplishments at the Paris Olympics. The fan saw these moments as a perfect culmination of her dedication and intense training sessions. The joy on her face made everyone feel they were a part of her journey.

Another fan commented in a more generous way, commenting, “Family is everything..Now you got your PHO soup that you’re craving for!” This fan directly points out that family is the most important thing for all and how simple food can comfort a gymnast. It indicates that all fans are happy that Suni can finally have her ‘Pho’ with her close ones, as finding joy in the smallest things matters a lot, especially when the athletes return home after a long time. 

Another admirer of Suni also commented on her food craving while welcoming her home, “Our girl got her pho 🍲 !!!Welcome home Suni, we are all so proud of you.” This reaction indicates a strong sense of pride for Suni Lee. It kind of symbolizes her return and triumph over adversity. For them, it means, as much as it does for her, unbounded delight in Sunl’s victories. Then, again, another fan expressed the feeling of her craving while saying that it made her fans realize that she still is down-to-earth, “Love how she remembers to stay humble and true to herself. Pho time.” Through the comment, the fan is admiring Suni’s simplicity and humility. The fan truly appreciates how fame and success on the global stage did not change her pure soul, as she still can connect to the simple pleasures that keep her grounded.

Next, a fan commented with true satisfaction and pride for Suni, “Homemade is the BEST!! Enjoy your bowl of pho, Suni! 🩷”. This shows how this fan values the comfort of Suni’s enjoyment and comfort in her food. It’s truly appreciated that she chose to celebrate her victory in such a personal and joyful way. As she basks in the glow of her achievements, the future looks even brighter for this talented gymnast. With her unwavering determination and the strong support from her hometown, Suni is poised to continue inspiring others and reaching new heights.