Suni Lee is best known as an Olympic champion gymnast, but since her diagnosis with two incurable kidney diseases in 2023, her story has been shaped as much by her health as by her medals. Her experience shows how suddenly kidney disease can arrive, how deeply it can disrupt even an elite athlete’s life, and how much determination and support a recovery can demand. Here is what is known about her condition, how it affected her training, and where her journey has taken her since.
Suni Lee’s Health Journey at a Glance
Lee rose to worldwide fame at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she won a gold and a silver medal. Her path changed abruptly when unusual swelling started by February 2023. That swelling led to a frightening discovery: doctors diagnosed her with two incurable kidney diseases. According to NBC New York, the illness nearly brought her gymnastics career to an abrupt end.
What Is Known About Her Diagnosis
Lee has spoken openly about her health while keeping some details private. As People reported, she has not revealed her specific diagnosis. Prevention similarly noted that she did not share an exact diagnosis with the public, but she did reveal that her condition has no cure.
The physical toll was dramatic. Lee told SELF magazine that she had "gained, like, 40 pounds" and experienced swelling. For a gymnast whose sport depends on precise control of her body, changes like these were destabilizing on their own, before accounting for the emotional weight of an incurable diagnosis.
How Kidney Disease Changed Suni Lee’s Training
The diagnosis forced immediate changes. Lee had to stop college gymnastics, and she had to stop training for a good while as she battled the two diseases. For an athlete used to daily, high-intensity work, stepping away from the gym was among the hardest parts of the ordeal, and it meant rebuilding her conditioning once she was healthy enough to return.
The Road Back to the Olympics
Lee refused to let the diagnosis define the end of her career. In December 2023, the then 20-year-old shared how she was overcoming an illness she called "really scary" and said she aimed to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
By January 2024, her condition began to improve, and she moved back toward her usual training level. There was another setback before the 2024 Paris Olympic trials, but with treatment she returned, finished second at the trials, and went on to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3JcUGJE5Rw
Speaking Out About Kidney Disease
Lee has increasingly used her platform to raise awareness. She shared her personal journey with kidney disease in a video with the American Kidney Fund, describing how she has fought to overcome the obstacles the illness put in her way. In March 2025, she went further and wrote a personal essay about living with incurable kidney disease, saying she is not the same person she was before kidney disease and, as People reported, that she will never be the same.
Recognizing Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Part of what makes Lee’s story resonate is how quietly kidney problems can begin. Common symptoms include fatigue, swelling in the legs or ankles, changes in urine output, and persistent back pain. Noticing these signals early and raising them with a doctor can make a real difference in how the condition is managed.
Everyday habits support kidney health too: staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting regular physical activity, and avoiding excessive salt and sugar intake. None of these guarantees protection, but together they reduce strain on the kidneys, something that matters for everyone, and especially for athletes whose training places extra demands on their bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of kidney disease does Suni Lee have?
She was diagnosed with two incurable kidney diseases in 2023, but she has not revealed her exact diagnosis publicly.
Did kidney disease end her gymnastics career?
No. She had to step away from training for a long stretch, but her condition began improving by January 2024, and she went on to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What symptoms should people watch for?
Fatigue, swelling in the legs or ankles, changes in urine output, and persistent back pain are common warning signs. Anyone noticing them should see a doctor promptly.
Where has Suni Lee talked about her condition?
She has shared her journey in a video with the American Kidney Fund and in a personal essay published in March 2025.
