Gymnastics prodigy Suni Lee is staging a triumphant comeback to the Paris Olympics in 2024  after enduring a grueling battle with not one, but two kidney diseases. This ailment cost Suni most of the 2023 gymnastics season. In an interview with CBS, she said, “I could not bend my legs the slightest, I couldn’t squeeze my fingers, my face was swollen,” and she retained 45 pounds of water weight, transforming her appearance and making her feel “very miserable.” As she pursues glory at the 2024 Paris Olympics in a remarkable parallel, Suni Lee’s journey echoes that of tennis legend Venus Williams.

A dominant force in tennis, Williams boasts five Olympic medals, including 2 gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, two golds in doubles at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, and a silver in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Yet, Williams’ path to success was not without its trials and tribulations. Did you know that before the 2016 Rio Olympics, she too waged a courageous battle against an immune system disorder?

Venus Williams’ health struggles before the 2016 Rio Olympics

SaveaLife.com in 2016 highlighted the inspiring stories of 10 American Olympic athletes who courageously confronted serious health challenges. Among the remarkable athletes mentioned on the list was Venus Williams. In 2011, Venus Williams was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the glands responsible for producing moisture. This leads to symptoms such as dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, and muscle soreness.

Reflecting on her journey, Williams recalled experiencing symptoms as early as 2004, including fatigue and shortness of breath, which progressively worsened over time, affecting her career. These symptoms forced her to withdraw from the 2011 U.S. Open and led to her dropping out of the top 100 tennis players ranking for the first time since 1996.

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She revealed, “Before I was on medication, the quality of my life wasn’t as good because I was extremely uncomfortable.” However, focusing on her recovery by adopting a vegan diet and undergoing treatment ultimately enabled her to continue competing, even participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Williams persevered in overcoming the challenges posed by Sjogren’s syndrome, and today she is helping countless others by raising awareness about the disease. As we reflect on this journey, let’s see how Suni Lee is managing her illness ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing resilience akin to that of Venus Williams on her journey.

How Suni Lee is coping with her kidney disease

Despite missing most of the 2023 season due to her health challenges, Suni Lee has found ways to manage her conditions and has said, “We have it under control now. We know what to do and the right medication to take.”

With a strong support system and a newfound appreciation for her abilities, Lee is pushing forward with determination, working on new skills, and aiming to secure her place on the U.S. gymnastics team for Paris. In parallel to Venus Williams’s journey, we eagerly anticipate Lee’s triumphant redemption and the proud display of the American flag in Paris this year.