‘I thought about quitting’: Ailing Suni Lee was once ready to give up on her dream of competing in the Paris Olympics

Suni Lee is heading to her second Olympics with Team USA. This sentence would have seemed an improbable dream to her in 2023, given the heartbreaking health concerns that kept her out of competition for much of the year. Yet, with resilience and determination, she bounced back and secured her place at the Paris Olympic Games. During USA Gymnastics’ live press conference after the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, Suni was asked how this trip was different from 2021. She responded: “This time it’s so different. Like I said earlier, we didn’t even think I’d be here, so everything hits me like a roller coaster. »

She explained how overwhelmed she was with emotion, adding: “I’m so happy and I’m so glad that I never gave up. Because there were so many times where I thought about quitting and walking away from the sport because I didn’t think I would ever get to this point and I didn’t want to disappoint myself. But I’m so happy that I have people around me that have motivated me and helped me through all the tough times. Yeah, I wouldn’t be here without them.