DES MOINES, Iowa — This week marks six months until the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and, already, athletes like Sunisa Lee are deep in training. The gold medalist is mastering new moves ahead of the games.
Suni posted 4 videos on Instagram, showing her doing what's called a "full-twisting Jaeger." As Gymnastics Now explains, that's when the gymnast swings backward with her hands reversed, then does a front somersault in a layout with a full twist.
Because the move isn't in the "code of points" yet, it would be named "The Lee" if she performs at an international event.
Back in November, Good Morning Iowa anchor Chenue Her sat down with Suni's parents in an exclusive interview.
They told him, at the time, the priority was to help Suni get healthy so she could train and also make plans for the Paris Olympics.
The St. Paul, Minn., native has battled health issues the last few years. She even ended her NCAA gymnastics career at Auburn University early to focus on her health.
Her parents, John Lee and Yeev Thoj, told Local 5 back in November that they're thankful for all the support they've gotten already, especially from Suni's Hmong fans around the world, including in France.
Due to the pandemic in 2020, Suni's family wasn't in Tokyo when she won the all-around gold medal for Team USA, making her the first Hmong Olympic gold medalist in history.
"We could raise it. We can figure it out and start saving, start raising money to get the whole family over there and we have people who can support us and help us out," John said. "The question is: Is Sunisa's health good enough to get there? So, we're hoping everything turns out good and then we have to start doing this next year."
The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics will be on Suni's home turf in the Twin Cities, Minn., beginning June 22.