Sunisa Lee’s Journey Back to the Olympic Stage
PARIS — As Sunisa Lee faced challenges due to two debilitating kidney diseases, she found solace in her comfort zones, particularly on the uneven bars, where she excels as an exceptional all-around gymnast. This event became her strength during recovery, inspiring her to innovate a new release move with hopes of having it named in her honor. Her coach, Jess Graba, encouraged her to pursue joy in gymnastics without pressuring her with goals, knowing she would set her own.
Despite her physical and mental struggles, Lee gradually regained her confidence. She received the green light to compete in January. Graba reminded her that with an Olympic all-around gold medal already secured, she had nothing to prove, especially to critics who questioned the legitimacy of her win during Simone Biles’ withdrawal. Yet Lee was determined to prove herself again.
Training and Preparation for the Olympics
Leading up to the Olympics, Lee meticulously prepared for her events. She started by carefully selecting which routines to perform: uneven bars and balance beam at the Winter Cup in February, adding floor exercise at the Core Hydration Classic in May, and finally competing at the Olympic trials. Throughout her preparation, the uneven bars remained her foundation, where she found success that rebuilt her confidence.
As her physical condition improved, so did her performance, fueling her desire to excel. When Lee stepped onto the uneven bars final in Paris, she aimed for victory but relished the moment irrespective of the outcome. Her score of 14.800 earned her a bronze medal, leaving her pleasantly surprised. She expressed her feelings, stating, “I just wanted to prove it to myself that I can do it.”
Achievements and Future Goals
At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Lee secured three medals: gold in the team final, bronze in the all-around, and bronze on the uneven bars, with hopes of a fourth medal on the beam. This success stemmed from an unexpected journey; in January, Lee questioned whether she should even target the Olympics. The experience taught her about her own resilience and perspective, allowing her to appreciate both her drive and happiness in pursuit of her goals.
Although she initially intended to perform a signature move, it was ultimately deemed too risky by Graba. He emphasized aiming for achievable goals, knowing fierce competitors like Kaylia Nemour and Qiu Qiyuan would pose significant challenges. Graba wanted Lee to relish in her current achievements, cautioning against unnecessary risks.
Coach’s Support and Emotional Journey
Graba, having witnessed Lee’s struggles over the last 18 months, provided protective support, ensuring her goals remained reachable while balancing her ambition. Concerned for her well-being, he expressed, “You’re just worried all year. She put a lot out to get here, and I just wanted it to pay off.” The payoff came when Lee executed her routine flawlessly, completing a transformative journey that began on the uneven bars and culminated in Olympic glory.
Required reading: (Photo: Dan Mullan / Getty Images)
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