"I just really felt like an outcast"- Suni Lee claims Auburn teammates didn't treat her well after winning all-around gold medal at Tokyo Olympics

Suni Lee reflected on the tough times when she couldn't confide in her Auburn teammates and her post-Olympic public appearances felt nightmarish. She went back to Auburn University after her Olympic champion title win but didn't have the college life she pictured.

Suni Lee competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and quite unexpectedly, got the lead when Simone Biles withdrew from the first round of the team competition, citing 'twisties.' Lee stepped up to perform on the floor she hadn't practiced in two days.

But to her surprise, she aced the vault and uneven bars routine to sweep the all-around gold and team silver. Someone who didn't anticipate being 'in the running for all-around [gold]', was the center of attention, especially in college.

People took pictures of her and tracked her moves after she made a couple of post-Olympic media appearances in podcasts and reality shows. But she couldn't communicate the discomfort with her Auburn teammates since they outcasted her.

"A lot of the girls weren’t the nicest to me. I just really felt like an outcast, almost. They didn’t treat me that well. I just knew that I couldn’t trust them, Lee said. (via Sports Illustrated.

She also shared that her friends were from other sports in Auburn, which made it difficult for her to reach out to them.

After winning the Olympic gold, people expected Suni Lee to get perfect scores in her gymnastic routines. Coach Jess Graba spoke about people talking unpleasantly about her failures.

"Everybody just thinks since you’re the gold medalist, you never make mistakes,” said Graba. (via Sports Illustrated)

Suni Lee - "The only thing I wanted was the Olympics"

2024 Core Hydration Classic

The 21-year-old gymnast, soon after her Tokyo Olympics achievement, appeared at the Late Late Show with James Corden and Ellen, walked the Met Gala red carpet, participated in Dancing with the Stars, and designed a signature leotard.

But the fame she received was not something she planned. Since initial days, she was only focused on making her Olympic team.

"All I wanted to do was go to the Olympics. I didn’t want anything that came after it. The only thing I wanted was the Olympics. So after that happened, when I was in the media at the time, it was really hard for me to deal with," said Lee. (via Sports Illustrated)

The three-time Olympic medalist will compete at the 2024 US Olympic Gymnastics Trials, slated for June 27-30, 2024, at Target Center in her hometown Minnesota.