Sunisa Lee has won the all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics!
(SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK)
SUNISA LEE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IS THE OLYMPIC ALL AROUND GOLD MEDALIST!
When Simone announced that she was unable to compete in the all-around, the field was wide open. Fans, announcers, writers, and gymnasts started throwing their predictions around social media and very few were the same. Favorites quickly emerged. There was the veteran from Russia, Angelina Melnikova, who helped lead her team to gold just two days ago. The superstar and pride of Brazil, Rebeca Andrade, who made it to the Olympics as an individual with no team to cheer her on. Hometown favorite, Japan’s Murakami Mai. The Chinese athletes, looking for redemption, Tang Zijing and Lu Yufei. So many other names that shouldn’t be counted out, France’s Melanie de Jesus dos Santos, the twins from Great Britain, Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, and Russia’s other all-around competitor, Vladislava Urazova.
And then there were the Americans. Our bars and beam event finalist, Sunisa Lee, and our floor and vault finalist, Jade Carey. All of the Americans have had a standout Olympics so far, and these ladies are no exception. Suni finished the all-around qualification in third place behind only Simone and Rebeca. Due to the two per country rule, Jade’s original 9th place finish in qualifications didn’t earn her a spot in the all-around finals, but when Simone withdrew, Jade stepped in to represent her country with less than 24 hours notice.
No matter how many incredible athletes are competing, at the end of the day, there is only gold medalist. Being at the top of the podium was the goal for every one of these athletes, but there is only room for one. The champion. The OLYMPIC champion. By just over two tenths of a point, it’s America’s own, Sunisa Lee. While some experts might have placed another athlete or two above her in probability, this writer always knew that should she perform the way she is able, that the coveted medal would be coming back home around Lee’s very deserving neck. Her unmatched skill on uneven bars, gorgeous control and difficulty on beam, textbook vault, and beautifully clean floor routine might define her on paper in the gymnastics world, but her grit, determination, positivity, and kindness have embedded her in the heart of gymnastics fans all across the country.
Sunisa Lee has cemented herself in history among the legends of USA gymnastics, joining these remarkable women as all-around gold medalists at the Olympic Games.
Mary Lou Retton - 1984
Carly Patterson - 2004
Nastia Liukin - 2008
Gabby Douglas - 2012
Simone Biles - 2016
AND NOW
Sunisa Lee - 2020
Suni has not had an easy few years. Her dad and best friend was paralyzed in a heartbreaking accident mere days before the 2019 US Championships where she proceeded to compete, finishing in second behind Biles. She lost a beloved aunt and uncle to COVID, and was out of training for a time to do injury. And yet. And yet Suni Lee is GOLDEN. Being the first Hmong American to make the US Olympic Team, Sunisa was already going down in history, but now she’s a legend. One of only six Americans to have earned all-around gold at the Olympics. Let’s say that again, ONE OF ONLY SIX AMERICAN FEMALE GYMNASTS IN THE HISTORY OF EVER.
Legend.
Thank you, Suni, for allowing us to be a part of your journey. For representing America with grace and unmatched sportsmanship. For being an incredible role model for the little girls who want so desperately to follow in your giant footsteps. For making this sport a better place for them and all the generations to come. To say we are proud of you is an understatement. We are honored to watch you in red, white, and blue.
This is all of us:
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