In 2023, Suni Lee had a number of kidney illness diagnoses, probably threatening her profession. Simply over one 12 months later, she has made an astonishing comeback, profitable three medals on the Paris Olympics.
On Sunday, the 21-year-old gymnast competed in ladies’s uneven bars. Lee edged out Belgium’s Nina Derwael — who received the gold medal in uneven bars on the 2020 Tokyo Video games — ending with a rating of 14.800 and profitable the bronze medal.
Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour received gold with a rating of 15.700 whereas China’s Qiu Qiyuan earned silver with a rating of 15.500.
Lee received gold within the all-around closing on the Tokyo Olympics, however this medal is extra significant in some methods. Lee’s coach, Jess Graba, admitted he had reservations about her competing within the Paris Olympics. Not solely was Graba apprehensive about Lee’s well being issues, however he additionally felt {that a} poor displaying may damage her legacy.
“She had every part to lose coming again,” Graba informed USA Right now’s Nancy Armour. “There was nothing actually for her to show, besides to herself. So I felt relieved as a result of I needed her to really feel proud. … I might care much less about everyone else’s opinion of how she did. It is extra about peace of thoughts. And that is what she had in the present day.”
In line with Armour, Lee famous detractors claimed that her all-around gold did not rely since Simone Biles pulled out of the competitors on account of a case of “the Twisties.” In Paris, she’s silencing her doubters and displaying she can also be an unimaginable gymnast who deserves reward.
Lee has received six Olympic medals, tying her with Aly Raisman because the third-most adorned American gymnast. She will be able to win one other medal within the beam closing on Monday.
