Throughout her brilliant career, Suni Lee never let illness get in the way of her dreams.
Qualification for the US Olympic Gymnastics Team is an impressive achievement under any circumstances.
But in Suni’s case, it’s made even more impressive by the many health battles she’s fought and overcome along the way.
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 10 Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her gold medal after winning the women's all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331299306-1024x683.jpg)
Suni won three medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including a gold in the individual artistic all-around event.
But the health problems she faced in the following years made it unclear whether Suni would be able to compete in Paris.
What is the nature of Suni Lee’s illness?
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 11 Bronze medalist Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her medal on the podium during the awards ceremony for the women's uneven bars final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Center on August 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331769206-1024x687.jpg)
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 12 Bronze medalist Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her medal on the podium during the awards ceremony for the women's uneven bars final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Center on August 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331769206-1024x687.jpg)
In 2023, after suffering from persistent swelling in her ankles, face, hands, and legs, Lee announced that she would step away from collegiate gymnastics to focus on her health.
“I am dealing with a non-gymnastics related health issue involving my kidneys. For my safety, the medical team has not cleared me to train and compete for the past few weeks,” she wrote on Twitter at the time, according to Today.
“I am blessed and grateful to work with the best specialized medical team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus at this time is my health and recovery.”
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 13 Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her gold medal after winning the women's all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331308045-1024x721.jpg)
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 14 Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her gold medal after winning the women's all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331308045-1024x721.jpg)
Suni did not give many details about his illness, except to confirm that it is incurable.
Suni becomes an inspiration for people struggling with chronic illnesses
Speaking with Today Hoda Kotb in an interview which aired in early July 2024, shortly before the Paris games, Suni revealed that his health issues had complicated his training.
But she remained steadfast in her determination to return to the Olympics.
“There were a lot of times where I thought about giving up and just quitting because I was so sick, and it was so hard to stay motivated, seeing everyone else getting better, and I was like, I can’t even go back to the gym and I constantly doubt myself,” the 21-year-old recalled.
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 15 Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her gold medal after winning the women's all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331308044-1024x664.jpg)
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 16 Sunisa Lee of Team USA poses with her gold medal after winning the women's all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331308044-1024x664.jpg)
“But when I had these people around me who lifted me up, supported me and just made sure I was okay, I knew this was something I wanted,” Suni added.
“We didn’t think I would be here.
“So, overcoming all of these events and… everything we’ve had to go through this week to get to where we are now, it’s been a really tough and incredible journey.”
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 17 Sunisa Lee of Team USA reacts after competing on the uneven bars during the women's individual all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331273505-730x1024.jpg)
![Suni Lee's illness: US gymnast battles incurable kidney disease 18 Sunisa Lee of Team USA reacts after competing on the uneven bars during the women's individual all-around final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1331273505-730x1024.jpg)
Now, with the support of veteran teammates like Simone BilesSuni hopes to take home the gold once again.
Like millions of Americans, we will be watching and rooting for her.