Who Is Suni Lee? Olympic Champion Announces Gymnastics Comeback for LA 2028 After Battling Kidney Ailment

Suni Lee is finally returning to elite gymnastics. The 23-year-old Olympic champion announced her comeback in a video shared on social media Tuesday, saying she is confident about competing at the highest level again. “I know what I’m capable of,” Lee said in the video. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there.”

Lee’s return follows similar comeback announcements from several veteran gymnasts, including her Olympic teammate Jade Carey and former elite gymnast and UCLA standout Katelyn Ohashi, 29. With her decision to make a comeback, Lee becomes the third member of the United States’ 2024 Olympic gymnastics team to resume elite competition, joining Carey and Hezly Rivera.

Announcing Her Arrival

At just 23, Suni Lee has already established herself as one of the most successful gymnasts in U.S. history, winning six Olympic medals across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. Lee made history at her first Olympics by becoming the first gymnast of Asian descent to capture the women’s all-around gold medal.

She also earned a silver medal in the team event and a bronze on the uneven bars.

Between the two Olympics, Lee spent two seasons competing for Auburn University’s women’s gymnastics team, becoming the first reigning Olympic all-around champion to participate in NCAA gymnastics.

She helped elevate the Tigers to new heights, leading the program to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in her freshman season and claiming the NCAA balance beam title.

Lee’s career was nearly derailed in 2023 when she was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease, two years after her breakout performance at the COVID-delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she won gold in the all-around and bronze on the uneven bars.

“This is more than a documentary; it’s an invitation to come along for the journey. I know there’s more in me, and this is my chance to challenge myself, test my limits, and see what I’m truly capable of,” said Lee.

“This isn’t about proving anyone wrong. It’s about showing up for myself and discovering what’s possible. Through the setbacks and the victories, I’m giving myself one more chance to find out what happens when I keep going.”

Coming Back in Style

She defied those odds to return for the Paris 2024 Games, helping the United States win team gold while adding two more bronze medals to her Olympic collection. After Paris, many expected Lee to retire, but her latest announcement makes it clear she is not ready to step away from the sport.

Lee returned to elite competition ahead of the Paris Olympics and overcame those health challenges to win three more medals, helping Team USA capture gold in the team event while adding bronze medals in the all-around and uneven bars.

Her achievements moved her into seventh place on the all-time list of the most decorated American gymnasts.

Although Lee did not reveal when she plans to compete again, her announcement has fueled speculation that she is targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her previous comeback began in 2023, one year before the Paris Games, making a 2027 return to competition a logical path toward a third consecutive Olympic appearance.

Lee said she plans to train at Midwest Gymnastics in her home state of Minnesota, where she developed as an elite gymnast.

“This is more than a comeback, stay tuned,” she wrote.