Suni Lee, a six-time Olympic medalist, has announced her return to gymnastics training with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as her target. The announcement was made via an Instagram video released on Tuesday, exactly two years before the opening ceremony of the Games in Southern California.
Lee, who turned 23 in March, has not competed since the Paris 2024 Olympics. In Paris, she contributed to the United States' team gold medal victory and earned individual bronze medals in the all-around and on the uneven bars, bringing her Olympic medal total to six across two Games.
Her return comes after a challenging period in 2023 when she stepped away from college gymnastics at Auburn University due to a kidney condition. Her preparation for the Paris Games involved months of medical treatment, medication adjustments, and uncertainty about her ability to train at an elite level. She ultimately received medical clearance to compete in Paris.
"I know what I’m capable of," Lee stated in the announcement video. "I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there." The video concluded with the message, "This is more than a comeback."
Lee expressed her determination to discover her full potential, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "I know there’s more in me. I’m giving myself one more chance to find out what happens when I keep going."
Her comeback journey will be documented in a film project by Fanatics Studios. Lee joins fellow 2024 Olympian Jade Carey in returning to elite competition. Simone Biles has described her chances of competing in 2028 as uncertain, while Jordan Chiles has not ruled out a potential run.
The gymnastics competitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 15. Lee has two years to focus on rebuilding her routines, managing her health, and aiming for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.