Imagine being one of the world’s top athletes, with your body a finely tuned machine, only for it to suddenly turn against you. That was the reality for American gymnast Suni Lee. Before being diagnosed with two incurable kidney diseases in 2023, the Olympic champion endured a series of baffling and alarming symptoms, including gaining 45 pounds seemingly overnight.
Yet, through it all, she still found a way to compete and win at the Paris 2024 Games, showing a resilience that goes far beyond the gym.
What Symptoms Did Suni Lee Experience Before Her Diagnosis?
On the “HAHA Podcast” with hosts Evelyn, Erica, and Emily Ha, Lee shared some of the shocking details of her health crisis. She explained that one of the most frightening symptoms was not realizing she had gone two full weeks without urinating before she finally saw a doctor.
“Like when I first, like before I got diagnosed, I didn’t pee for like two weeks. And I never realized. I never realized it until I went to the doctor and they were like, when was the last time? And I was like, um, like two weeks ago. Cause it all just stayed in my body. I gained like 45 pounds overnight. Yeah, it was crazy,” Lee explained on the podcast.
She initially wondered if the sudden changes were related to her diet or training. “I was competing and I was like, oh my gosh, like have I just been like overeating or something? Cause I would look at myself and I would be like a little bit bloated. And then I would go into the gym and I would feel a little heavier.”
Following her performance at the Paris Olympics, Lee decided to step away from gymnastics. The decision was influenced by her need to prioritize her health and explore other opportunities beyond the sport.
How Is Lee’s Health Following Her Break from Gymnastics?
Recently, Lee gave a positive update on her condition. In an interview with The Independent, she shared that her body is currently in remission, offering a sense of relief after a difficult period.
“I mean, my body’s in remission right now. So it’s really nice to just be feeling a little bit healthier and not having to worry about it. But yeah, I’ve been feeling really good,” she said. The biggest adjustment, however, has been life without the sport that has defined her. Lee added that a significant change for her was adapting to a new routine away from the gym.
“Having to learn not to do gymnastics again, because I haven’t done it since the [Paris] Olympics,” she noted.
Earlier this year, Lee also mentioned that the challenges were not just physical but mental, as the illness prevented her from training with her usual intensity. For now, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is enjoying her break and has not yet announced a return-to-competition timeline.