Everything to Know about US Sensation Suni Lee, 21, Who Went to Olympics 2024 despite Incurable Disease

Suni Lee’s abilities in her chosen sport were evident from a very young age.
She faced some family difficulties before partaking in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Suni took a break from her career when she became ill but eventually found her way back and now has the support of her idol.

One of the athletes people are rooting for at the 2024 Paris Olympics is the US artistic gymnast, Sunisa “Suni” Lee. The star almost didn’t make it into the 2024 Olympics because of a serious diagnosis. But with her parents’ support and the right medication, she made her comeback. Here’s a little about her background.

Sunisa Lee looks on during a Gymnastics training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 25, 2024, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

Suni’s Background

Suni was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 9, 2003. According to the 2024 Paris Olympics website, the athlete’s mother is Yeev Thoj. She has been in a long-term relationship with Suni’s stepfather, John Lee, since the star was two.

The athlete has half-siblings Evionn, Lucky, and Noah from her mother’s relationship with John. John entered the relationship with Yeev, bringing three children of his own. Suni’s step-siblings are Jonah and Shyenne.

Bronze medalist Sunisa Lee poses on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Women’s Uneven Bars at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan | Source: Getty Images

The star started getting into gymnastics at a very young age. Her parents’ friend initially asked if the little girl was doing the sport when they saw her tumbling around the backyard and house. A family friend helped her parents meet a Midwest Gymnastics Center coach who guided them. In 2017, Yeev recalled, “They tested her a little bit, and then he said, ‘OK, we’ll just keep her.'”

Suni was six when she started her training at the Little Canada Center. Since the start of her successful career, the gymnast has received several honors.

In addition to her medals, Minnesota’s governor paid tribute to the star by declaring July 30, 2023, “Suni Lee Day.” Saint Paul’s mayor also declared the same thing for the city. A bronze bust of the 21-year-old was unveiled at a park during a celebration.

In 2021, Suni won Sports Illustrated Female Athlete of the Year. The following year she was declared the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Individual Sportswoman of the Year.

Suni Lee posing with someone in Time’s Square, New York City, in an image uploaded on August 5, 2021 | Source: Instagram/sunisalee

Besides gymnastics, the star’s hobbies include camping and fishing. Before participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the athlete partook in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There she won a significant medal after her idol pulled out of the games.

Suni’s Journey to Her 2020 Tokyo Olympics Win

Before taking part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Suni faced some challenges that could’ve caused her to pull out. Two days before 2019’s US National Gymnastics Championships, John fell off a ladder while helping a neighbor trim a tree.

He became partially paralyzed from the chest down. But his daughter still chose to compete and came second to her idol, US’ Simone Biles. The proud father was watching in the stands when his daughter secured her Tokyo Olympics spot.

Unfortunately, the gymnast’s family also lost loved ones to the virus. Still, this is what her proud mother had to say at the time, “It’s pretty amazing that she actually made it this far.” The parent added, “I’m just super proud that she actually made it.”

Suni’s dedication paid off at the Tokyo Olympic Games, but her parents sadly couldn’t watch her live. At the time, the Olympic organizers announced that spectators were barred from attending most events.

The measure was taken after Tokyo declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic. Yet, a YouTube video showed her parents, family, friends, and community members celebrating at a hall when the athlete nabbed the gold medal.

During the competition, Simone, who has a sister who is also a gymnast, was expected to win a gold medal in gymnastics. But she shocked the world when she withdrew due to mental health issues. Simone said a mental block caused her to “feel unsafe” to perform her twists and flips.

Suni Lee, Simone Biles, and the rest of team US Women’s Gymnastics team in an image uploaded on August 15, 2021 | Source: Instagram/sunisalee

Instead, Suni ended up taking over from her gymnastics hero, and in July 2021, she won the Olympic all-around title. She became the sixth overall and fifth consecutive American woman to win the gymnastics Olympic gold.