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Suni Lee captivated the world’s consideration final summer time on the Olympic Video games in Paris as an unstoppable gymnast, who, alongside her teammates, clinched the gold medal within the all-around competitors.
“We wished to return again from Tokyo 2020 and it wasn’t like we have been simply redeeming ourselves within the workforce last, however we wished to redeem ourselves in so many different methods,” the gymnast informed Journey + Leisure not too long ago. “There was simply a lot that we felt like we did not get to do final time that we wished to do that time, and that is precisely what we did.”
The 21-year-old additionally received two bronze medals for the person all-around and uneven bars on the Paris Video games (she received gold, silver and bronze medals on the Tokyo video games), which was, in fact, a spotlight of the entire expertise.
“Getting that medal and simply taking all of it in within the second was probably the most wonderful feeling ever. And it is one thing that I am by no means gonna neglect,” she stated.
With Suni Lee
What’s your favourite occasion in gymnastics?
Beam.
If you’re on the aircraft, what’s your go-to exercise?
Take a nap. In fact.
Do you will have a very good technique for coping with jet lag?
I’d say simply keep awake but it surely’s so laborious for me, as a result of the second I get on the aircraft, even earlier than take off, I go to sleep. So it is type of laborious.
Dream journey?
Perhaps Thailand or the Philippines.
Favourite place you’ve got traveled to with Crew USA Gymnastics?
I must say Italy or I did love Paris.
Lee’s journey to the 2024 Olympics, nevertheless, was something however easy, as she was recognized in with not one however two types of kidney illness the yr prior.
Whereas Lee hasn’t disclosed specifics of her circumstances, in response to the Nationwide Institute of Diabetes and Digest and Kidney Illnesses (NIDDK), kidney illness encompasses quite a lot of circumstances together with diabetes and lupus nephritis. Signs for kidney circumstances fluctuate however can embody edema, fatigue, muscle cramps, complications and nausea.
Following her analysis, Lee introduced she can be placing her NCAA gymnastics profession at Auburn College on maintain for six months. At that time limit, her participation within the Paris 2024 Olympics was unsure as her day-to-day life was impacted instantly in addition to the best way she travels for her job. However regardless of the barrage of signs she was coping with, Lee pressed on and labored intently along with her medical workforce to regulate her coaching program, persevering with to compete whereas managing her well being.
“It has been very nerve-racking. Going to camps, touring on a regular basis, my schedule will get a bit of bit loopy,” she stated. “However my healthcare workforce and I, we have simply provide you with such a tremendous routine that is been really easy to do whereas I am touring, and even after I’m not touring, it is simply been actually constant. I believe simply having an ideal healthcare workforce and help system has been most likely the very best factor that would have got here out of this.”
Although Lee’s journey has been powerful, her resilience prevailed.
In an effort to assist others going through related struggles — one in seven adults within the U.S. have power kidney illness — Lee has partnered with the American Kidney Fund (AKF) as a part of the group’s “Know Your Kidneys” initiative.
Lee and LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of AKF, have been educating individuals on the necessities of kidney well being in addition to sharing assets for these looking for a analysis.
“I do know firsthand that kidney illness can occur at any age, and typically the reason for your illness is not clear-cut,” Lee stated. “However I need to encourage others to be told about their kidney well being and self-advocate for a remedy plan that may permit them to stay their finest life.”
And he or she’s definitely following her personal recommendation. The style fanatic simply moved to New York the place she is pursuing quite a lot of initiatives whereas considering the 2028 Summer time Olympics in Los Angeles.
“It has been an adjustment — being a Minnesota lady from the suburbs. However I’ve simply been actually making an attempt to stay my life and be with out gymnastics. LA isn’t out of the image, but it surely’s undoubtedly not one thing that I am occupied with proper now,” she stated. “I need to take a break and let my thoughts heal, let my physique heal, and simply attempt to take pleasure in each single second and have enjoyable. I’m actually into the style stuff proper now, so it has been actually enjoyable making an attempt to study extra about that and be extra engaged in one thing that is not gymnastics. I simply need to take it daily and see the place it takes me.”