John LeuzziUSA TODAY NETWORK
Suni Lee went into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a first-time Olympian. She left as a gold medalist in her sport's biggest event, the women's all-around.
It was a moment that introduced Lee, who has been competing professionally since 13 years old, to the international stage and solidified her as one of the United States' brightest upcoming stars at the Olympic level for future Olympic Games.
But there were perhaps some thoughts, and doubts, of whether Lee would be on the USA women's gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Olympics when she announced in April of 2023 that she was diagnosed with two forms of kidney disease.
Nonetheless, the former Auburn Tiger gymnast worked her way back from illness in time to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games — where she looks to help lead the United States to its third Team gold medal in the last four Olympics.
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"It was just an incredibly hard journey," Lee told TODAY's Hoda Kotb after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. "There were so many times where I thought about quitting and just giving up because I was so sick and it was just so hard to stay motivated, watching everybody get better, and I’m just like 'I can’t even get back into the gym' and constantly doubting myself.
"But once I had those people around me who lifted me up and supported me and just made sure that I was good, I knew that this is something that I wanted."
Here's what you need to know about Lee's past illness heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics:
REQUIRED READING: Suni Lee 'on the right track' for Olympics after fourth-place finish at nationals
Suni Lee kidney disease diagnosis
As noted by Sports Illustrated, Lee began to experience some swelling in her ankles in February 2023. The swelling continued throughout her body and led to some weight gain as Lee "at times was some 40 pounds heavier than her norm."
"I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes," Lee told USA TODAY in November of 2023. "My eyes were swollen shut. It was just so scary."
She added: "In the beginning, it was like I was waking up swollen. My fingers were so swollen they wouldn’t fit into my grips and I couldn’t hold on to the bar."
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Originally thought to be an allergic reaction, it was later diagnosed that Lee had not one, but two rare forms of kidney disease. Lee declined to provide the exact kidney diseases to Sports Illustrated.
Lee's diagnosis forced her to end her collegiate career at Auburn early after just a year and a half. During her time at Auburn, Lee was named the 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year on top of earning 10 total All-America honors and anindividual national championship titleon the balance beam in 2022.
"I have been dealing with non-gymnastics health-related issue involving my kidneys. For my safety, the medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks," Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in April of 2023. "I am blessed and thankful to be working with the best specialized medical team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus at this time is my health and recovery.
"I will not stop pursuing my dreams for a bid to Paris in 2024. In fact, this experience has sharpened my vision for the future."
Is Suni Lee in remission?
Yes. At the Team USA Media Summit in New York City in mid-April, Lee said that she is in remission after receiving treatment over the last year. Lee was away from competition for roughly a full calendar year, making her return to competition at the U.S. championshipsin June.
“Right now (my routines are) still a little modified,” Lee said. “I think I'm at a good spot, though. I don't want to peak too early. So it feels normal. I feel like I'm going at a good pace. I'm getting all my routines back and working on consistency.”
REQUIRED READING: Meet the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team, headlined by Simone Biles, Suni Lee
What is kidney disease?
As noted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, kidney disease, or kidney failure, is when one's kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should.
Some symptoms that could show the possibility of kidney disease, and kidney failure, per the American Kidney Fund include:
- Itchy skin or rashes
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up
- Not feeling hungry
- Swelling in your feet and ankles
- Urinating more or less than normal
- Foamy, frothy or bubbly-looking urine
- Trouble catching your breath
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
