Suni Lee leaves LA 2028 open as Olympic comeback fuels modeling and acting pursuits

Sunisa “Suni” Lee said she is uncertain whether she will attempt another Olympic comeback for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, while describing new pursuits in fashion and acting as she continues to build a public life after returning to the Paris podium.

Lee, 22, told Daily Mail Sport at a New York Fashion Week event that she has been focusing on interests outside elite gymnastics and is not sure she will compete at the next Olympics. "My life has been crazy," she said. "I’ve just been learning to find myself and find everything else that I’m passionate about because who knows if I’ll come back for the next Olympics. But it’s been a really fun journey."

Lee’s remarks come a year after a high-profile comeback at the Paris Olympics, where she won three medals for Team USA after a period away from competition caused by an incurable kidney disease. The Minnesota native rose to prominence as an 18-year-old Olympic all-around champion at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She said returning to the podium in Paris remains among the highlights of her career.

Her path back to elite competition followed a difficult stretch in early 2023, when she experienced severe swelling and rapid weight gain. Lee said doctors initially attributed her symptoms to allergies; after multiple consultations and tests she underwent a kidney biopsy that led to a diagnosis of a chronic kidney condition and a six-month pause from gymnastics. She credited medical guidance and a support team, including Dr. Marcia Faustin, for helping her return to competition.

"The Paris Olympics were a really crazy ride," Lee told Daily Mail Sport. "I was just so happy I was able to overcome everything and keep working towards that goal. I’m happy that I had the support that I had, I wouldn’t be here without them. Looking back makes me really proud of myself."

Lee’s comeback earned public recognition: she received the Comeback Athlete of the Year award at the 2025 ESPYs, an honor she accepted with Faustin as her guest. She has since been visible in fashion and media circles, modeling for the AE x Tru Kolors launch with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and appearing in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue alongside teammate Jordan Chiles.

The gymnast said she has been exploring acting opportunities and fashion collaborations while living in New York. She has signed deals with beauty brands including Laneige and Ole Henriksen and has made frequent appearances at Madison Square Garden this year. Lee said she has tried new sports and activities and is embracing a slower pace after the intensity of Olympic training.

Lee’s presence in New York attracted attention during the Knicks’ playoff run, and she acknowledged public interest in her social life while denying romantic links reported in some outlets. She emphasized the importance of routine and confidence to her performance, saying she follows pre-competition rituals such as getting ready two hours beforehand and keeping specific habits to help her focus.

After Tokyo, Lee ventured into mainstream entertainment, appearing on Dancing with the Stars and returning to her studies at Auburn University. The kidney diagnosis and subsequent recovery changed expectations for her career trajectory; she said the experience prompted reflection on what she values beyond gymnastics.

Asked whether she might try for Los Angeles 2028, Lee declined to commit but did not close the door entirely. "I’ve been focusing on fashion, maybe getting into acting, finding things I’m passionate about," she said. "I’ve been playing different sports and getting into different activities that you wouldn’t think I would do. Just been having a lot of fun."

Coaches, medical staff and teammates have not publicly outlined a plan for Lee’s competitive future. For now, she is balancing brand work and media opportunities with recovery management and personal development. Her comeback from a serious health setback and continued visibility in sport-adjacent fields illustrate the evolving career paths available to modern Olympic athletes, who increasingly move between elite competition, commercial partnerships and entertainment ventures.

Lee’s next public appearances and projects are expected to be announced through her representatives and the brands she works with. She has said she plans to focus on what is in front of her and to give herself credit for the accomplishments she has achieved to date.