Suni Lee Announces Return to Gymnastics With Eye on LA 2028
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The six-time Olympic medalist is resuming training to reach her full potential and chase an elusive balance beam medal.
Sunisa Lee has officially announced her return to gymnastics, targeting a third Olympic appearance at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The 23-year-old, who is a six-time Olympic medalist and the all-around champion from the 2020 Tokyo Games, shared the news via an Instagram video on July 14, 2026, stating she was back in the gym and ready to work, according to The Guardian.
Lee's comeback follows a hiatus after the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she earned bronze medals in the uneven bars and the all-around, and helped the U.S. team secure gold. Reporting from Yahoo Sports notes that Lee's return is driven by a desire to compete at her full potential, a goal she felt was hindered during the Paris Games due to her health. Lee had previously been diagnosed with two rare, incurable kidney diseases in 2023. While the condition is currently in remission and being managed, Lee expressed during a July 15, 2026, appearance at the ESPY Awards in New York City that she feels she has "so much more in the tank."
With nearly two years until the LA 2028 cycle, Lee and her longtime coach, Jess Graba, are focusing on preparation and routine difficulty. A primary target for Lee is the balance beam, an event that has remained elusive despite her success in other categories. Yahoo Sports reports that Lee finished fifth in the beam final at the Tokyo Olympics with a score of 13.866 and sixth in the Paris beam final with a score of 13.100. Graba stated that Lee feels she was a medalist on that event and wants to rectify the lack of a podium finish.
Lee is one of several 2024 gold medalists returning to the sport, joining others such as Jade Carey, as reported by The Guardian. However, the status of teammate Simone Biles remains unclear. While Biles attended the 2026 ESPY Awards as a presenter and winner of Best Athlete in Women’s Sports and Best Championship Performance, she told Yahoo Sports she is "still at a 50-50" regarding a return to competition. Biles has not returned to elite competition since winning four medals in Paris, though she indicated she expects to be involved in the LA Olympics in some capacity.