“It’s just crazy to think that I’m in this position right now,” reflected Olympian Suni Lee, recalling the day she woke up with a swollen body. Initially dismissed as an allergy, her persistent symptoms soon alarmed both her and her doctors. With just a year to the Paris Olympics at the time, Lee was expected to be in peak form, especially after her standout performance at the 2021 Tokyo Games. Now, almost a year into the medical iunciSuni Lee’s resilience has shone brightly as she overcame medical challenges to secure her place in the Paris Olympics.

When medical advisors informed her that she might never compete again, Lee defied the odds and surprised everyone. In just one year, she made a remarkable comeback, returning just as strong despite the daunting journey. Her story is a testament to her indomitable spirit and dedication.

Suni Lee was advised against competing professionally

Recently, Suni Lee appeared on The Players’ Tribune – a media platform that gives athletes a direct and unfiltered voice to share their stories and perspectives. A clip of that was shared on Instagram with the caption, “Team USA Olympians and Paralympians @leetothekiefer, @ezrafrech, @sunisalee and @oksanamasters share some of their thoughts heading into this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. From discussing the hardships they’ve faced, to finding a community within their sport, these athletes are using their platform to inspire the younger generation.” Suni Lee spoke about her incurable kidney disease which she was diagnosed with that forced her to shorten her collegiate NCAA career in Auburn University.

Her training was paused for 6 months. Apparently, Lee was told she could not ever compete in the same way she had done before, “Because he literally told me, he was like, “It’s impossible, the medicine that you’re on, it’s gonna make your bones too weak. You’re never gonna be back the same.” She admitted that she was still working on the mental aspect of it because she didn’t think she would be fit enough to compete again. In 2023, the symptoms began to get serious. In February, she would wake up with swollen ankles, face, legs, and hands. Which is difficult, especially for a gymnast since the sport demands agility.

Though doctors initially suspected it was an allergy, Lee gained 40 pounds. Her performance was significantly affected, as she could not do even a basic kip cast on the uneven bars. She said, “I kept peeling off the bar. I couldn’t hold on. My fingers were so swollen.” However, she received immense support, especially from her parents John and Yeev. John Lee himself had become paralyzed after a call and he encouraged Suni to “go out there and do [her] best”. She followed his advice and made a comeback despite her illnesses. It definitely paid off as she is now heading to the trials. After the National Championships, Lee was overcome with a sense of accomplishment, she wrote on Instagram, “This one hit different. see you at Olympic trials!!!!🥹😭❤️”. Suni Lee is a beacon of hope amongst all the athletes who think they have to drop out because of physical complications.

A remarkable journey of perseverance and triumph

Suni Lee’s optimism and positive outlook have been appreciated by fans and followers of gymnastics around the world. Her comeback to make it to the Olympic Trials just one year later demonstrates incredible strength of character. “This comeback was so much more than my return to elite gymnastics,” she wrote on Instagram last year. Continuing, “It was me proving to myself that I can overcome hard things, and to hopefully inspire others to never let life’s setbacks stop you from going after your dreams.”

This year, she made a comeback at the American Classics. She competed on the vault and balance beam, scoring 14.300 and 13.250, respectively. Additionally, she performed a full twisting Yurchenko, a difficult move. At the US Championships, she won bronze in the balance beam event, securing enough points to qualify for the Olympic gymnastics trials in Minneapolis. This event will determine the top gymnasts who will form the US women’s gymnastics team. Given her recent performances, she is expected to excel in the uneven bars and balance beam events.

Reflecting on her NCAA career, we just wish we could have seen more of her performances. In 2022, she played a crucial role in Auburn securing a 4th place finish. If her training hadn’t been cut short, they might have placed even higher in subsequent competitions.