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Sunisa Lee

Sunisa Lee, known as Suni Lee, is an American artistic gymnast from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sunisa Lee, known as Suni Lee, is an American artistic gymnast from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She won the individual all-around gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and added multiple Olympic medals in 2021 and 2024, making her one of the most decorated U.S. gymnasts.

Early life and background

Lee was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and began gymnastics training at a young age. Sources describe her as a Hmong American athlete who rose through the U.S. junior and elite gymnastics system.

Elite international career

Lee became a major international contender at the 2019 World Championships, where she contributed to team gold and earned individual medals. She later broke through at the Tokyo Olympics with all-around gold and two additional medals.

Collegiate career at Auburn

After Tokyo, Lee competed for Auburn University in NCAA gymnastics. Reports describe her as the first Olympic all-around champion to compete collegiately and note NCAA awards on uneven bars and balance beam.

Return to competition and Paris 2024

Lee was sidelined in 2023 by kidney disease but returned to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. In Paris she helped the United States win team gold and won bronze medals in the all-around and uneven bars.

Key facts

  • Won women's individual all-around gold at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
  • Earned six Olympic medals: two gold, one silver, three bronze.
  • First Asian American woman to win Olympic all-around gold and first Hmong American Olympic athlete.
  • Competed for Auburn University in NCAA gymnastics after Tokyo.
  • Returned to elite competition in 2024 after being sidelined by kidney disease in 2023.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Lee as a major figure in international artistic gymnastics, especially through Olympic and World Championship competition that also features Canadian athletes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sunisa Lee?
She is an American artistic gymnast from Saint Paul, Minnesota, best known for winning the Olympic all-around title at Tokyo 2020 and additional medals in 2020 and 2024.
How many Olympic medals does Sunisa Lee have?
She has six Olympic medals in total: two gold, one silver, and three bronze.
What did Sunisa Lee win at the Tokyo Olympics?
She won gold in the all-around, silver with the U.S. team, and bronze on uneven bars.
Did Sunisa Lee compete in NCAA gymnastics?
Yes. She competed for Auburn University and earned NCAA and SEC honours, including a balance beam championship.
What health issue affected her career?
She was sidelined in 2023 by two forms of kidney disease before returning to elite competition.
Why is Sunisa Lee historically significant?
She is the first Asian American woman to win Olympic all-around gold and is widely identified as the first Hmong American Olympic athlete.

References

  1. Team USA — https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/sunisa-lee-1074875
    Supports: Olympic participation, medal total, and athlete profile details.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/a61611825/suni-lee
    Supports: Tokyo 2020 results, heritage note, Auburn attendance, and kidney disease return.
  3. USA Gymnastics — https://www.usa-gymnastics.org/pages/athletes/athleteListDetail.html?id=467541
    Supports: Birthdate, residence, program, and 2024 Olympic results.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suni-Lee
    Supports: Biographical overview, Tokyo and Paris Olympic results, and historical significance.
  5. NBC Olympics — https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/suni-lee-career-highlights
    Supports: World Championships results, Auburn career, and collegiate achievements.