"Everybody knew if you’re competing against Simone Biles, you’re competing for second place" - Suni Lee on Tokyo Olympics

The reigning all-around Olympic champion Suni Lee reflected on her title victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while discussing how it felt to compete against her compatriot and four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles.

Lee is gearing up to participate in the US Olympic gymnastics trials set to begin on Thursday, June 27 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lee has not had the best season so far this year, as she had to settle for a disappointing 13th-place finish in the balance beam at the 2024 Winter Cup in February, which happened to be her season opener as well.

Following that, Lee participated in the 2024 US Core Hydration Classic in May, where she tried her hands on the floor exercise for the first time in an elite-level competition. However, it was the balance beam that witnessed the Saint Paul, Minnesota, native shine as she outperformed Simone Biles to win the apparatus.

Lee gained widespread recognition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she became the first Asian American woman to secure a gold for the United States in an all-around event. Her victory held even greater significance as Simone Biles had withdrawn from the event, citing the case of 'twisties' at the time. She then went on to earn two more medals: a silver in the team event and a bronze in the uneven bars.

Reflecting on the days of the Tokyo Olympics, Lee revealed that no one, including herself, expected that she'd win gold, and it was widely accepted that competing against Simone Biles meant competing for silver, not gold. Talking about the same, the 21-year-old stated (via Sports Illustrated):

"We didn’t even think I would be in the running for all-around [gold]. Everybody knew if you’re competing against Simone [Biles], you’re competing for second place."

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Inside the mindset of Suni Lee as she approaches the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials 2024

2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Lee is among the 16 female artistic gymnasts who have made it to the final list of athletes selected to participate in the US Olympic gymnastics trials happening on Thursday. However, Lee sat on the fence about her qualifications at the trials.

"I was constantly asking like, ‘Oh my gosh, did I make Trials? Did I make Trials?’ And everyone’s like, ‘Yeah, duh, you got the red [national team] jacket!" is what she told Olympics.com

While talking about what she felt following her inclusion in the final list of gymnasts, Lee stated:

"I’m just trying to keep my composure, and now I know I just have to go back to the gym and work on my consistency."

She also added that she doesn't need to try anything special at the trials and should stick to her usual routine.