Suni Lee’s remarkable Olympic journey, from a gold medalist to facing retirement, continues to unfold.
The American gymnastics star secured her sixth Olympic medal by earning a second consecutive bronze in the women’s uneven bars at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in what is known to be her signature event, the 21-year-old achieved a score of 14.800.
As the last of eight gymnasts to perform in the final, Lee needed to surpass a score of 14.766 to clinch a medal.
Gold went to Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, who scored 15.700, while China’s Qiu Qiyuan captured silver with a score of 15.500.
Lee’s latest bronze marks her third medal of the Paris Games. She previously contributed to Team USA’s gold in the team final and took bronze in the all-around competition. Notably, she was the sole American in the uneven bars final, as 10-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles narrowly missed qualifying after finishing ninth.
“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,” Lee shared with reporters after her bronze medal performance, admitting she had doubts about her capabilities.
This comes after Lee’s extraordinary performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where she, at just 18, won gold in the all-around following Biles’ withdrawal from the event. Additionally, she earned a silver medal with the U.S. team and also took home bronze in the uneven bars.
After the Tokyo Games, the newly minted champion considered stepping away from gymnastics, struggling with two kidney diseases that led to persistent pain and weight fluctuations.
Lee initially reached out to her coach to say she was quitting the sport but was persuaded to visit the gym and reconsider her decision. Ultimately, she chose to continue her challenging journey, which brought her back to the Olympic podium in Paris.
Lee is set to compete in her final event at the Paris Olympics, the balance beam final, scheduled for Monday, August 5, at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT, available on NBC and Peacock.