Suni Lee, the Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2020, recently opened up about her struggle with kidney issues in the year 2023. She revealed that these issues caused her to gain 45 pounds. The 5-foot gymnast made this revelation in an interview with USA Today, just a few months after she left Auburn to seek treatment for her ailment.
“I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes,” Lee told the outlet. “My eyes were swollen shut. It was just so scary.” However, Lee reports that she is doing much better now and looks “very much like the gymnast” who competed in the Games nearly three years ago.
“I haven’t had a really bad day in a while,” Lee said. “But in the beginning, it was like I was waking up swollen. My fingers were so swollen they wouldn’t fit into my grips and I couldn’t hold on to the bar.”
“My whole body was swollen because I was retaining water, so I couldn’t do a flip. So it was really different and I had to learn how to work through it,” she added. Lee also made changes to her diet, cutting back on her sodium intake, which has allowed her to reignite her pursuit of more medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
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“We’re still working on trying to figure out how to balance all of it because I do have good days and bad days,” Lee said. “But with the good days I just take advantage of what I’m able to do, and on the bad days, I just do basics and try and stay as safe as possible.”
Despite the challenges she has faced, Lee is determined to continue her athletic pursuits. She mentioned that the Olympic trials for the 2024 Olympics begin in June in Minneapolis, and she is working hard to overcome her health issues and perform at her best.
In addition to her physical struggles, Lee has also shared a candid account of the emotional toll her health issues took on her. She expressed how scary and overwhelming the experience was, from not fitting into her clothes to waking up with swollen eyes and fingers. This openness about her personal struggles invites a sense of relatability and admiration, as she continues to work through her health concerns while maintaining an unwavering focus on her athletic goals.
The resilience and determination exhibited by Suni Lee in the face of her health challenges serve as an inspiration to many. Her story is a reminder that even in the midst of adversity, with the right support and mindset, individuals can overcome obstacles and pursue their passions. As she gears up for the upcoming Olympic trials, her journey will undoubtedly continue to resonate with fans around the world, showcasing the strength and spirit of a true champion.
