Suni Lee Says Paris Olympic Games Have Been Her 'Redemption Tour': It All 'Just Means So Much More' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Suni Leeis a bit in awe of herself — the new “normal” herself.

“This has been my redemption tour from the last Olympics, and I’ve been trying to give myself grace for not being, I guess fully back to normal Suni,” she tells PEOPLE at Team USA House on Aug. 5, after the balance beam final. “But ever since I got sick, I feel like normal Suni is — she’s just a different girl now.”

So who is new Suni? “Better.”

“I’m more mature,” she says assuredly. “I have a lot more fun.”

Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

She then began her college career at Auburn University, though it wascut unexpectedly shortas she grappled with her health. At that point, these 2024 Olympic triumphs seemed impossible.

She and teammate Biles also qualified for the women’s artistic gymnastics individual balance beam final on Aug. 5, butlanded in sixth and fifth place, respectively.

Lee emphasizes that she — and Biles — had fun this time around, no matter the results.

Suni Lee with one of her bronze medals.Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC

“I’ve just been taking in every single moment,” Lee says.

So have her teammates, who she notes have, too, “had to overcome so much in the last couple of years, physically, mentally, anything.”

“We love being together,” she tells PEOPLE. “We’re such a great team, as you guys can tell, whenever we’re out there, everything just clicks when we’re together.”

source: people.com