Nothing has come easy for the American gymnast over the past 18 months Sunny LeeReigning Olympic all-around champion.
The 21-year-old has been dealing with a kidney-related health issue since March 2023 that prematurely ended his sophomore campaign at Auburn University and kept him out of international competition for Team USA last season.
At times, it seemed that the dream of a second Olympic Games might not be possible.
But Lee persevered — through everything — including an up-and-down final night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in her hometown of Minneapolis on Sunday (June 30).
„We didn’t think I’d be here, so everything hit me like a freaking roller coaster,” Lee said after the team was announced. „I haven’t stopped crying, but I’m so happy, I’m so glad I never gave up.”
A long time coach Jess Graba He summed it up succinctly: „Whenever things get tough, she usually gets tough.”
It was obvious.
Lee came out strong on Sunday (June 30), the final day of the US Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics, soaring to a 14.875 on the uneven bars but falling off the balance beam once and nearly a second time. A 12.825. She rebounded on the floor exercise, scoring a 13.850 and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
Lee ended the night with a score of 14.100 to give Yurchenko a double whammy on vault.
This earned her a second standing ovation as the hometown crowd honored their long-suffering hero.
„I learned that I’m a lot stronger than I think I am, and I can do anything if I put my mind to it,” Lee later said. „My mind was never on the Olympics. … I just wanted to get healthy again.”