Reflecting on her remarkable comeback to the Olympic stage, Suni Lee proudly recounted winning her fourth and fifth medals in Paris.
At just 21, she faced a challenging year after being diagnosed with two rare kidney conditions that affected her mental and physical well-being, keeping her from competing.
Despite these struggles, Lee secured a spot in the Olympics on June 30, and shone brightly for Team USA alongside Simone Biles during what many called a redemption tour in France.
‘From being told I would never be able to do gymnastics again to achieving my fifth Olympic medal!’ Lee expressed on Instagram on Friday.
‘This medal symbolizes much more than gymnastics,’ she shared. ‘I can’t articulate how much my health has robbed me and the strength I’ve gained from this journey. Being here is the pinnacle of my achievements. I am thankful for the opportunity to represent Team USA at my second Olympic Games! Thank you for your unwavering support.’
Suni Lee reflected on her journey back to the Olympics after battling two kidney diseases.
The day before her post, Lee clinched a podium spot in the all-around competition. She finished behind Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and her teammate Biles, who took silver and gold, respectively.
This victory follows her all-around gold medal achievement at the Tokyo Olympics and comes just days after Team USA’s gold in the team event earlier in the week.
In the finals on Thursday, Lee scored 13.933 on vault, 14.866 on uneven bars, and 14.000 on beam, setting the stage for her floor routine, which would ultimately secure a podium finish.
As she approached the floor, commentator and former Olympian Laurie Hernandez praised her performance as the ‘routine of her life.’ The Minnesota native scored 13.666, securing bronze and concluding her comeback story with flair.
Lee, who felt ‘rotted in bed’ last year due to her illnesses.
Lee won bronze in the all-around competition shortly after achieving gold with Team USA.
Simone Biles won gold while Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade took silver.
While earning a medal at the Olympics is commendable, Lee’s achievement is particularly poignant given her struggles just a year ago.
‘We honestly didn’t think I would be here today,’ she remarked following the trials. ‘It’s been like a roller coaster. I haven’t stopped shedding tears out of happiness because there were many moments I contemplated giving it all up because I doubted I could reach this stage.’
‘Realistically, I didn’t think I’d even make it to the podium, so it’s surreal that I accomplished this. I did my utmost,’ Lee reflected after her bronze win. ‘I approached the performance with the intention to refrain from self-imposed pressure, wanting to avoid thoughts of past Olympics or proving myself to anyone.’
‘I aimed to demonstrate to myself that I could achieve this, as I truly believed I couldn’t.’
