Sunisa Lee, Olympic Gold Medalist, Ends Auburn Career Because of Kidney Issue

Olympic gold medalist gymnast Sunisa Lee announced Monday that she will end her college career at Auburn because of a kidney issue.

Lee won the gold medal in the all-around competition, a silver medal in the team competition and a bronze medal in the uneven bars at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Lee has also had success at the collegiate level, winning gold in the 2022 NCAA Championships in the balance beam and silver in the all-around.

She announced on social media in November that this would be her final season at Auburn, with the plan to shift her focus to reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"After this season, I will be returning to elite gymnastics," she said. "I have my sights set on Paris in 2024, and I know what I have to do to get there. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and putting in the work."

She became the first Hmong American to participate in an Olympics and spoke before the 2020 Games (which were held in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic) about how much that opportunity meant to her.

"[It] means a lot to the Hmong community ... and to just be an inspiration to other Hmong people [means] a lot to me too," she told Karen Mizoguchi of People.

Lee hasn't participated in international gymnastics since the 2020 Games. She was a part of the 30th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2021, finishing fifth.

"I appreciate all the love and support, and I want to especially thank my doctors, coaches, and the Auburn medical staff for their care during this time," Lee wrote in Monday's post.

"War eagle forever."