Olympic Champion Announces Return
Suni Lee, a six-time Olympic medalist, has announced her return to gymnastics. The American athlete made the announcement through a video shared on Instagram, indicating her intention to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Her return comes two years before the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Games, and two years after her last competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the video, Lee, who is 23 years old, expressed her determination, stating, “I know what I’m capable of. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Back in the gym. We’ll see.” The video concluded with the message, “This is more than a comeback, stay tuned.” This marks a significant development for the athlete who has not competed since the 2024 Games.
A History of Olympic Success
Lee has a notable Olympic career, including multiple medals across different Games. At the 2021 Games in Tokyo, she secured a gold medal in the all-around competition. During those same Games, she also earned a bronze medal on the uneven bars and a silver medal in the team competition. Her performance in Tokyo established her place in U.S. gymnastics history, particularly after Simone Biles withdrew from the all-around event.
Her success continued at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she contributed to the USA team’s gold medal victory. Individually, she also claimed bronze medals in both the all-around and uneven bars events in Paris. This consistent medal-winning record underscores her capabilities in the sport.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Lee’s journey has included significant personal challenges. In 2023, she was diagnosed with a kidney disease, which led to the early conclusion of her college gymnastics career during her sophomore year at Auburn. This illness presented considerable difficulties, with her doctor, Marcia Faustin, noting that for most individuals, the condition would prevent even simple activities. Lee spent months managing swelling, new medications, and doctor’s visits while seeking a diagnosis.
Despite these health issues, doctors cleared Lee to compete in January, ahead of the 2024 Games in July. Her performance improved throughout the spring, leading to her selection for the U.S. team alongside Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera. At the time of her selection, she expressed disbelief, saying, “I can’t believe I’m here.”
Lee’s current return is considered remarkable given the improbability of her 2024 run. While she had not explicitly ruled out competing in Los Angeles, she had not openly teased a comeback either. In a 2024 Q&A on Snapchat, in response to a question about 2028, she had written, “my body hurts … this sport kills me.”
Her comeback will be chronicled in a documentary, which will be the first produced by Fanatics Studios. Lee shared her motivation with the Hollywood Reporter, stating, “I know there’s more in me, and this is my chance to challenge myself, test my limits, and see what I’m truly capable of. This isn’t about proving anyone wrong. … I’m giving myself one more chance to find out what happens when I keep going.”
Fellow Athletes and Future Prospects
Lee’s return raises questions about other members of the 2024 U.S. squad and their potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, which will be the first home summer Olympics for the U.S. since 1996 in Atlanta. Jade Carey, another American athlete who won medals in both Tokyo and Paris, recently made her own comeback after a similar break from the sport. Carey, who is 26, has returned to elite competition after competing for Oregon State University, winning gold on vault and floor at the American Classic in June, which was her first elite competition since Paris.
Hezly Rivera, who was 16 in Paris, has continued to compete at the elite level in the two years since the 2024 Games. Simone Biles, 29, has not competed since the 2024 Olympics, and in April, she indicated she was “at a 50-50” regarding a return for the Los Angeles Games. Jordan Chiles, 25, completed her career at UCLA by winning the NCAA floor title in April. Like Biles, Chiles has not competed in an elite competition since the 2024 Games but has not ruled out a comeback for Los Angeles, stating in May that it is “really more about physically for me than it is mentally.” Gymnastics events at the Los Angeles Games are scheduled to begin on July 15, 2028.
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Source: bbc.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.