WATCH: Suni Lee turns heads with an eye-pleasing bars set during podium training at U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials 2024

Suni Lee wasn't sure whether she would be able to even qualify for the Olympic Trials at the start of 2024. But here she is, one of the front runners to make it to the five member Team USA that will go to the upcoming Paris Olympics. The reigning Olympic all-around champion impressed everyone with a stunning uneven bars routine during podium training at the U.S. Gymnastics Trials.

Lee was battling kidney diseases for the majority of 2023, but returned to competition at February's Winter Cup 2024. However, it wasn't the return anyone had anticipated, as the 21-year-old lost control mid-air on multiple occasions. But determined to make her second Olympic appearance, Lee returned to competition at the American Classic in April and won a gold medal in the balance beam.

The world medalist continued improving, though she would still compete in only three events in the U.S. Classic. Lee took the gold again in balance beam before making her first all-around appearance at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2024. It marked her first all-around appearance in nearly a year, finishing an impressive fourth with a score of 110.650.

With this impressive performance, Suni Lee qualified for the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials, and is now among the favorites to make it to Paris Olympics 2024. During podium training at the U.S. Gymnastics Trials on June 26 held at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the 21-year-old Lee delivered a breathtaking performance on the uneven bars, one of her signature events alongside the balance beam.

Lee connected Nabieva, Bhardwaj, Jaegar, Pak, Maloney, and Gienger as ‘normal’ before tucking with a full-twisting double. The uneven bars and balance beam are her specialties, and if not the all-around gold, Lee should be able to win these events at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials 2024.

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“Oh my gosh, did I make the trials?”-Suni Lee couldn't believe that she qualified for the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team Trials 2024

2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships

From February 2023 onwards, Suni Lee's gymnastics career faced uncertainty due to concerns about her ability to compete again. However, a call from her doctors on January 4, 2024, changed everything, giving her hope that she could make it to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Fast forward to the 2024 U.S.Gymnastics Championships, Lee competed on all-around for the first time in nearly a year, and finished just 0.150 off the podium. She also qualified for the U.S. Gymnastics Trials, something that she could hardly believe.

“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!’ Lee recalled. (via Olympics.com)

A video of Suni Lee jumping and dancing in excitement like a child went viral after she qualified for the U.S. Gymnastics Trials. The video captured her pure joy.