Suni Lee still eyeing 2024 Olympics after kidney issue ends Auburn career
Auburn star gymnast Suni Lee revealed Monday that a kidney issue is what brought an abrupt end to her college gymnastics career.
The sophomore and reigning Olympic all-around gold medalist had not competed for Auburn since late-February, missing the Tigers’ final two regular-season meets as well as the SEC championship and NCAA Regional while dealing with what was previously described as a “non-gymnastics health issue.” Lee took to Twitter on Monday to disclose it was a kidney ailment that sidelined her late in Auburn’s season, which ended over the weekend in the NCAA Regional in Los Angeles.
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“I have been dealing with a non-gymnastics health related issue involving my kidneys,” Lee wrote. “For my safety, the medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks. I am blessed and thankful to be working with the best specialized medial team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus at this time is my health and recovery.
“It’s been challenging to end my Auburn career early, but I am thankful for all the love and support. 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. I appreciate all the love and support, and I want to especially thank my doctors, coaches, and the Auburn medical staff for their care during this time. War Eagle forever.”
Lee announced in November that she planned for her sophomore season to be her last competing for Auburn, as she planned to shift her focus toward training for the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris, where she hopes to defend the all-around attempt to defend her all-around gold medal she won at the Tokyo games in 2021 prior to enrolling at Auburn. Lee also took home silver with Team USA and won bronze on the bars in Tokyo, which set the stage for an unprecedented freshman campaign on the Plains.
In quick order, Lee became one of the most accomplished gymnasts in Auburn history. Along with her three Olympic medals, Lee finished as runner-up in the all-around at the NCAA championship as a freshman, finishing just behind Florida’s Trinity Thomas. She also won the individual title on beam to go along with an SEC championship on bars last season. Lee earned first-team All-America honors in the all-around, beam and floor, as well as second-team All-America recognition on bars.
Along with those accomplishments, Lee owns the Auburn career record for most perfect-10s, with nine across her two seasons with the Tigers. She earned five 10s as a freshman: on bars against LSU and in the SEC championship, plus a trio of 10s on beam against Kentucky, Florida and in the NCAA Regional. This year, prior to her kidney issue, Lee added four more perfect-10s to her resume, including two during the program’s road meet against rival Alabama on bars and beam. Her other two this season came on beam in the Super 16 Challenge to open the season in Las Vegas, as well as on bars against LSU.
Without Lee in the mix, Auburn’s season fell apart on the bars in the NCAA Regional in Los Angeles over the weekend. The Tigers endured three consecutive falls on bars and posted a 195.900 overall score to finish fourth behind Utah, Washington and Southern Utah. Senior Derrian Gobourne advanced to the NCAA championship as an individual qualifier on floor after posting a 9.925.
“I am so proud of my team and the way they showed determination and resilience this season,” Lee wrote. “Auburn, thank you for the best two years of my life and for giving me the opportunity to make history alongside this amazing group. I am forever grateful for this community.”
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.