Curveballs in the life of athletes are not unheard of, and yet, it brings in massive shocks among fans and sports enthusiasts. For Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, the curveball, unfortunately, came in the form of a health problem. The 20-year-old gymnast who made America proud at the Tokyo Olympics, recently announced a heartbreaking decision.
Lee took to social media to talk about her recent ailments. She announced the end of her college gymnastics career with Auburn University. Fans came in with an outpouring of love and support for the star. However, the reason for her decision was not related to gymnastics. Then what happened?
Suni Lee made a major change in her career with a heavy heart
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In a detailed note, Lee began by expressing her gratitude for her university and how it changed her life. For the past two years, the Olympian has had an amazing team in the form of the Auburn Tigers. However, she missed the recent NCAA regionals, where her team did not qualify for the championship in Texas. And now, she had a reason.
via Getty
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 29: Sunisa Lee of Team United States competes on balance beam during the Women’s All-Around Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Lee first clarified that the reason for the end of her college gymnastics career was not related to the sport. She recently got diagnosed with a problem in her kidney. While she still hoped to get a clean chit from her doctors for the upcoming Paris Olympics, she wasn’t cleared by them for current training.
Fans immediately rushed to support the star upon hearing the announcement. Many were glad that she chose Auburn over the rest of the universities and commented, “Praying for your recovery”.
Sweet Suni, we are so very grateful you chose Auburn!!! You are forever etched in our hearts and part of history of the great Auburn University! Forever our Family!! Praying for your recovery, and for that bid in Paris to come to fruition!!! You got this!!! 🧡💙🫶
— jennifer moore 🦚 (@jennaunp12) April 3, 2023
A fan also highlighted how college athletes and gymnasts like Lee often suffered in silence.
You never know what someone’s going through. College athletes are under immense scrutiny and we never have the whole story. https://t.co/q6PhcKEb56
— Scott 🐗 (@ScottMorris12) April 3, 2023
But prayers and well-wishes came in leaps and bounds for the Olympic star, with hopes to see her in Paris.
Hope you get well soon so you can go win some more gold! War Damn Eagle!
— ImALegendKiller (@ImALegendKiller) April 3, 2023
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You are an inspiration to all of us and such a wonderful woman. Wishing you a speedy recovery Suni Lee 💙💜 Can’t wait to see you back competing for another gold!! 💪🏼🏅 https://t.co/D4cKLzY7tD
— Rin Xeroverse 🎮🎮 (@xerogaming_joel) April 3, 2023
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Lee has always been quite attached to Auburn University since the very beginning. Before she announced an early quit from her college career, the star reminisced about all the good times at her university and shared a post featuring a huge crowd bidding her farewell before her preparation for the Paris Olympics. Now, while things have taken a turn, only time will tell what the future holds for Lee.
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