Suni Lee’s road to the 2024 Paris Olympics has been extraordinarily challenging, more so than most athletes. The 21-year-old gymnast appeared on TODAY with her teammates—Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera—and discussed her difficult battle after being diagnosed with two forms of kidney disease.
“We didn’t think I would be here,” she said, referencing her current status as a member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team. “So, getting through all of those events and everything we had to endure this week to be where we are now, it was such a hard, incredible journey.”
Suni recounted how she overcame moments of self-doubt, recalling “many times where I thought about quitting and giving up because I was so sick. It was just so hard to stay motivated, watching everybody else improve.”
“A year ago, I didn’t think this was possible.”
An emotional Suni Lee reflects on her journey to the #ParisOlympics. pic.twitter.com/vkFmnk2omd
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 1, 2024
“And I was constantly doubting myself, thinking, ‘I can’t even get back into the gym,’” she added.
Suni won the women’s individual All-Around competition at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Shortly after, she enrolled at Auburn University to compete with the school’s gymnastics team. However, by her sophomore year, she had to leave due to her health condition. In early 2023, Suni noticed swelling around her body and gained around 40 pounds. Doctors later discovered that she had an incurable kidney disease. Nevertheless, she was determined to return to gymnastics training.
In August 2023, Suni shared a positive update with her Instagram followers, expressing how “blessed and so so grateful” she felt to be back competing at an elite level.
“This comeback was much more than my return to elite gymnastics,” she wrote at the time. “It was me proving to myself that I can overcome hard things, and hopefully inspiring others to never let life’s setbacks stop you from pursuing your dreams.”
Earlier this year, Suni confirmed she was in remission. She is now on her way to Paris this summer to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games.
