But her achievement comes after a major health scare, where the 21-year-old discovered she was suffering from a sudden kidney disease and gained 40 pounds unexpectedly as a result.
“This medal goes deeper than gymnastics,” Lee added. “I can’t even begin to express how much my health has taken away from me & the strength it has taught me, so to be here is the greatest achievement of all. grateful for the opportunity to be able to represent team USA at my second olympic games! thank you for all the support.”
Suni Lee performs on the balance beam during the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics. AP Suni Lee celebrates teammate Simone Biles at the 2024 Olympics. Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Shutterstock
Lee said in a cover story for SELF last October that she had woken up unexpectedly with swollen ankles thinking it was due to intense training early in 2023.
“I just kept getting more swollen…and I think I gained, like, 40 pounds,” she said. “The swelling immediately affected her training. “I kept peeling off the bar. I couldn’t hold on. My fingers were so swollen.”
It took more testing but as the kidney problems grew, Lee subsequently retired from competing collegiately, as she had been a top gymnast at Auburn and won an NCAA title for her performance on the balance beam in 2022.
But now, she’s competing internationally again and shining.
She will be taking part in the uneven bars and balance beam finals on Saturday and Sunday, giving her a chance at more Olympic hardware.
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