When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, and that’s exactly what Suni Lee has done. Her journey is known to all gymnastics fans. It’s been a wild ride, filled with incredible highs and extremely tough lows. After winning the all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, she went through a rough patch with post-Olympic depression and the pressures of college. On top of that, she was hit with the news of two incurable kidney diseases that forced her to step back from training. But through all those challenges, her Olympic teammates Jordan Chiles, Simone Biles, and Jade Carey were right there with her, supporting her and helping her find joy again.
Suni Lee recently opened up in an exclusive interview with Caroline Fenton, which Yahoo Sports released on October 17. The interview, titled “Suni Lee on Olympic Return, Supporting Jordan Chiles, & Meeting Beyoncé!” was all about her friendships in gymnastics. When the host asked about her relationships with teammates like Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, Suni talked about how important it is to lift each other up, especially during tough times.
Suni Lee shared, “We have the most fun relationship, especially when it comes to the gym. I mean, outside of it, we are like really, really close, and it’s just so easy to talk to them. It’s so nice to have them as well because we’re all going through the same thing; we all feel the same, especially when it comes to competing. Like, we have so much to relate to, so having them—they’re kind of like my mentors, my guides because they have a lot more experience than me. So having them was really nice, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
Winning the gold medal in the competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was a mix of achieving a lifelong dream and facing unexpected challenges for Suni Lee. In 2021, a young 18-year-old athlete thrust into the limelight along with renowned Olympic champions such as Nadia Comaneci and Simone Biles. Lee opened up about her battle with imposter syndrome while navigating through difficulties before making it to the Paris Olympics despite grappling with a kidney-related ailment that had jeopardized her comeback previously.
When the chips were down, Jordan Chiles leaned on Suni Lee and Simone Biles for support
Jordan Chiles faced a tough blow when her bronze medal in the women’s artistic floor exercise at the Paris Olympics was stripped after the Romanian gymnastics team challenged her final score. This decision came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Romanian gymnast Ana Maria Barbosu, who claimed that an inquiry filed by the U.S. team regarding Chiles’s score was submitted four seconds late, violating the one-minute deadline set by the International Gymnastics Federation. As a result, Chiles’s score was reduced, leading to Barbosu being awarded the bronze medal.
Following the news, Chiles announced that she would be stepping away from social media for her mental health, stating, “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health. Thank you.” But her teammates stood by her side at that time.
Suni Lee has been a strong supporter for Chiles during this difficult time. She acknowledged how challenging the situation is for her teammate, saying, “It’s very hard, especially being an athlete. You work your whole life for that, and it’s just crazy how it can be taken away from you.” Lee made it a point to reach out regularly to check on Chiles, emphasizing her willingness to be there without overwhelming her.
Even Simone Biles also stepped in to offer encouragement, reminding Chiles, “You have to feel all these feels. Don’t let these emotions stop you. This will be the healthiest way to get all of this out.” Biles maintained their connection through video calls and messages. This support highlights the strong bonds among these athletes, showing that they stand by each other in tough times.
