Kidney issue forces Suni Lee to end collegiate career

Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee is vowing to compete in the 2024 Olympics after health concerns forced her to end her collegiate career.

The first Hmong American athlete to take part in the Olympics announced on Twitter that she has “been dealing with a non-gymnastics health related issues involving my kidneys.”

Lee says her medical team did not “clear” her to “train and compete over the last few weeks.”

“My focus at this time is my health and recovery,” she said.

Lee won a gold medal in the all-around competition for Team USA, a silver in the team competition and a bronze in the uneven bars in Tokyo in 2020.

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“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 in Paris in 2024. In fact, this experience has sharpened my focus for the future.”

She had previously announced she would leave the Auburn Tigers at the end of this season to shift her focus to preparing for the Olympics.

“This will be my last season competing at Auburn University,” she said then. “I’m so excited to share that after this season I will be returning to elite gymnastics. I have my sights set on Paris in 2024 and I know what I have to do to get there. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and putting in the work.”

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