Sunisa Lee, the American gymnastics star, finds unparalleled freedom and joy on the uneven bars, a sanctuary where her innate talent and countless hours of training converge to create a zen-like state of mind. Despite facing significant health challenges and having to modify her approach, Lee has emerged as a dominant force, showcasing incredible artistry and resilience in her quest for Olympic glory.
For Sunisa Lee, the uneven bars are more than just a piece of gymnastic equipment; they are a portal to a realm of freedom and exhilaration. The moment her hands grip the familiar combination of wood and fiberglass, the anxiety that precedes every routine melts away, replaced by a blissful emptiness.
"It's just fun to me," Lee says, her eyes twinkling with joy. "It's like flying around out there."
Lee's innate air awareness, a talent that her longtime coach Jess Graba believes she may have been born with, allows her to navigate the uneven bars with effortless grace. The countless hours she has dedicated to practicing her craft have honed her skills to perfection, allowing her to execute complex maneuvers with precision and ease.
A year ago, Lee's dreams of competing in the Olympics seemed distant. Plagued by kidney disease and struggling to manage her weight, she was told by doctors that she might have to quit gymnastics altogether. At one point, she had gained 45 pounds and was bedridden in December.
Undeterred, Lee vowed to reach the top of the podium in Paris, despite the odds stacked against her. "You never know what can happen," she says. "So just keep reaching for your dreams."
Today, Lee's bronze medal on bars, a testament to her indomitable spirit, is as sweet as any individual honor she has achieved in her illustrious career. "I just have to keep reminding myself that I wasn't even supposed to be here," Lee says. "A couple of months ago, we didn't even think this was a possibility."
Despite narrowly missing out on gold, Lee remains unfazed. She flawlessly executed her routine, leaving no room for complaints. Instead, she celebrated Kaylia Nemour of Algeria and Qiu Qiyuan of China, who took home the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Lee's ability to appreciate the extraordinary skill and artistry displayed by her competitors stems from her own firsthand understanding of the challenges involved. From the outset of her career, she has possessed an exceptional talent for the uneven bars. Even amidst her health struggles, she and Graba devised a plan that included introducing a new skill to increase her difficulty and boost her chances of winning gold.
However, after unsuccessfully attempting the new skill at the American Cup in February, USA Gymnastics decided not to send Lee to an international assignment where she could have tested it before foreign judges. Instead, Lee and Graba opted for a slightly less risky set that would reduce her chances of winning gold but improve her chances of making the five-woman U.S. team.
"She came right over and said, 'I think I've got to move on,'" Graba recalls. "And I'm like, 'I was going to talk to you about that today.' Yeah. So we both knew it."
The shift in strategy proved successful, setting the stage for an Olympic performance that has seen Lee rise to even greater heights than she did in Tokyo. Together with Simone Biles, she helped propel the U.S. team to gold in the team final and followed it up with a bronze medal in the all-around, becoming the first reigning Olympic champion to medal in the next Games since Romanian icon Nadia Comaneci in 1980.
While the Tokyo Games brought glory, they also lacked the joy that has permeated Paris. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and Biles' withdrawal from multiple finals created a somber atmosphere. This time around, things are different. Lee has blossomed into one of the world's most renowned gymnasts, receiving enthusiastic support from the crowd.
"I feel like I'm doing so much better this time around," Lee says. "And even having the girls, like we really could not be here without each other and just having the support and being able to lean on each other has been incredible."
Lee has made it clear that her ultimate goal in Paris is a gold medal on beam, her signature event. With one more hurdle to overcome, she stands poised to cap off an inspiring journey filled with adversity and triumph.
As she soared from bar to bar in Sunday's Olympic final, her mind on autopilot and her red leotard a beacon of hope, Lee served as an inspiration to those facing setbacks. Her presence in the arena was a reminder that even when the path ahead seems daunting, with determination and the support of others, dreams can soar.
