MINNEAPOLIS— While most gymnasts traveled from far away to compete in the Olympic Trials here, Suni Lee did not.
The St. Paul native was preparing – for the first time – for a high-stakes home game.
“I think it’s a bit of a mix right now,” said Lee’s coach, Jess Graba. “She’s a little nervous because you’re home. But it’s a little weird because you don’t feel like you’re home, but you are. But yeah, I love it. We’re both really happy to be here and we can share our city and our area with everyone. Fortunately we have nice weather and a beautiful city center, it will be really cool.
Wednesday morning, Lee wasn’t feeling her best. Lee coughed frequently during morning practice and quickly left the arena in a bout of nausea, after which she stopped her training.
WCCO
“Yes, she was a little nauseous this morning,” Graba said. “She’s doing well. She did her assignment and I thought, you don’t have to keep going, you just have to be ready. She just wasn’t feeling well this morning. But that’s fine. She was great yesterday. She will.” fine tonight.”
The US has the strongest women’s gymnastics team in the world, even for the defending all-around gold medalist.
Lee has had a tumultuous run-up to these trials. She suffers from kidney disease that has prevented her from training for a long time and is still taking medication.
“She has overcome a lot of adversity,” said Alicia Sacramone, the USA Gymnastics Women’s Strategy Lead. “I think if she can just have two great days of competition and be healthy and happy, that’s what I want to see from her.”
