"I was kind of rushed" - Suni Lee explains why she was more nervous in Paris than her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020

Suni Lee claimed she was more nervous at the 2024 Paris Olympics than her Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago. She won the all-around gold medal at the 2020 Olympics but was forced out of competition a year before the start of the 2024 Games due to a kidney ailment.

Lee rose to international fame at the Tokyo Olympics after Simone Biles withdrew from the all-around finals. She wasn't among the favorites to win the gold medal but produced the best performance of her life to defeat Brazil's Rebecca Andrade. She won a silver medal in the team and a bronze in the uneven bars competition as well.

However, the 21-year-old was diagnosed with two kidney problems in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, with her participation unsure even in early 2024. She nonetheless managed to make it to the Olympic team, but when the competition came closer, she started feeling the nerves.

Comparing her Olympic debut in Tokyo with her Paris Olympics experience, she said in an interview with People:

“I think that I am always really nervous, but I think this time around I was more nervous because it was having to deal with the pressure of being the reigning Olympic champion and then also dealing with the health issues and then just being scared that I wasn't ready."

Lee didn't compete all-around until the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the last competition before the Olympic Trials, which likely led to her doubting her preparation.

“I think last Olympics, I felt a lot more ready going into it, whereas this one, I was kind of rushed and not really mentally prepared," she added.

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Suni Lee suffered a panic attack the night before winning gold with Team USA

Artistic Gymnastics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Suni Lee in action (Source: Getty)

Suni Lee placed second at the Olympic Trials to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and during the women's qualification rounds in Paris, she was a major contributor to Team USA's score of 172.296. They topped the table and qualified for the finals but the night before they had to compete in the finals, Lee suffered a panic attack in the Olympic village.

It was Simone Biles' who came to her rescue, reminding her of her ability and the fact that she was the reigning all-around champion.

"You need to walk around like you’re the reigning Olympic champion, and you need to own it. You need to remind yourself that you’re good enough, and you are on this team for a reason, ” Biles told Suni Lee (via Glamour)

The 21-year-old managed to walk away with three medals, one gold and two bronze, taking her overall tally to six Olympic medals. She will likely compete at the 2028 L.A. Games as well.