Suni Lee, the celebrated Olympic gymnast, has recently shared her journey through a significant health challenge as she trains for the 2024 Olympics. Earlier this year, at the age of 20, Suni Lee received a diagnosis of an incurable kidney disease. This health setback led to the premature end of her final NCAA gymnastics season with Auburn University and necessitated a six-month pause in her training regimen. In a candid interview with SELF magazine, Suni Lee provided a detailed account of how her health condition developed, shedding light on her resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The initial signs appeared one morning in February when the Minnesota native woke up with noticeably swollen ankles. Initially, Suni Lee dismissed the swelling, attributing it to the intense physical demands of her gymnastics training. However, the following morning brought a more alarming development: widespread swelling throughout her body, affecting her face, legs, and hands.
Concerned, Suni Lee’s coach advised her to consult with Dr. Faustin, a physician with the USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team. Dr. Faustin, in conversation with SELF, recalled the immediate focus on finding answers and identifying the right specialists to consult.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/suni-lee-1-100423-4c4eace9452c481ba6e7d830fdd7e591.jpg)
Image: Suni Lee showcases her strength and artistry during her balance beam routine at the 2023 US Gymnastics Championships.
Upon attempting to train, the severity of Suni Lee’s condition became immediately apparent. “I kept peeling off the bar. I couldn’t hold on,” she recounted, describing how the swelling in her fingers made even basic gymnastics maneuvers impossible. “My fingers were so swollen, and I couldn’t even do a normal kip cast to handstand on bars.”
Initially, medical professionals suspected an allergic reaction. However, the persistent swelling over several weeks contradicted this initial assessment. “I just kept getting more swollen…and I think I gained, like, 40 pounds,” Suni Lee explained. “It affected my whole body and how I looked and how I was feeling,” highlighting the profound impact the condition had on her physical state.
The uncertainty surrounding her health sparked fears about the future of her gymnastics career. Suni Lee admitted to grappling with anxieties, wondering, “What if I’m never allowed to do gymnastics again or I can never make it to the Olympics again?”
Following inconclusive results from numerous medical tests, Dr. Faustin inquired about Suni Lee’s urine output. This prompted Suni Lee to reveal that she had been experiencing difficulty urinating for approximately two weeks. Subsequent urine tests indicated the necessity for more in-depth investigation, leading to a referral to a specialist and a recommendation for a kidney biopsy to identify potential kidney damage or disease.
Amidst the ongoing medical evaluations, Suni Lee publicly announced on April 3rd her withdrawal from the Auburn season due to a “non-gymnastics health-related issue involving my kidneys.”
While Suni Lee disclosed her specific diagnosis off the record to SELF, she has chosen to keep the exact nature of her kidney disease private for the time being. This decision is partly due to her doctors believing the diagnosis could be refined after further testing. She did reveal that her condition is rare and currently has no cure. Her medical team is actively developing a treatment plan, which includes medication, to manage her symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/suni-lee-2-100423-a612be573e0348308cf64f20a4afb719.jpg)
Image: Suni Lee demonstrates her exceptional skill and focus on the uneven bars while competing for Auburn University.
Despite gaining clarity regarding her health with a diagnosis, Suni Lee acknowledges the emotional and psychological challenges of accepting a life-altering, chronic condition. “How do I just randomly wake up one day swollen, and now I’m stuck with this condition for the rest of my life?” she questioned, expressing the difficulty in coming to terms with her new reality.
The health diagnosis has also fueled concerns about her Olympic aspirations and overall future in gymnastics. “I look at myself all the time in videos, and it makes me emotional because I’m just not the same athlete I was before,” Suni Lee confessed, recognizing the physical changes and limitations imposed by her condition.
However, Suni Lee is finding strength and purpose beyond her personal struggles. She recognizes the potential of her story to resonate with and inspire others facing similar health battles.
“This comeback was so much more than my return to elite gymnastics. It was me proving to myself that I can overcome hard things, and to hopefully inspire others to never let life’s setbacks stop you from going after your dreams,” she shared in an Instagram post following her return to competition at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic.
Her resilience was further highlighted at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships last month, where she achieved a bronze medal on beam, a testament to her unwavering dedication and talent despite her health challenges.
“We didn’t think that I would be here. We didn’t know what was possible. We didn’t know what was wrong with me — and here I am on the big stage, competing,” Suni Lee remarked to SELF, reflecting on the uncertainty and triumph of her journey.
Suni Lee continues to manage persistent swelling and the side effects of her medications. “We’re just trying to adjust to it and still learning how to work through it,” she said about managing her symptoms while training.
Adapting her lifestyle and training is crucial for managing her condition. This includes more frequent meals, reduced sodium intake, and incorporating more rest into her training schedule. Prioritizing her health has also meant making difficult decisions, such as withdrawing from the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium to protect her body.
“It was a very difficult decision, but my health is more important,” Suni Lee stated on her Instagram Story, underscoring her commitment to her long-term well-being as she navigates her gymnastics career and health journey.
