Olympic champion Suni Lee could have trained almost anywhere in the world. With elite gymnastics facilities scattered across the United States and abroad, many athletes at her level would have chosen a national training center, a lucrative private club, or perhaps a university program with state-of-the-art equipment. Instead, with fewer than two years until the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Lee made a deeply personal choice: she returned to the unassuming gym in Little Canada, Minnesota, where her extraordinary journey first began.
A Homecoming at Midwest Gymnastics Center
Monday marked Lee's first official day back at Midwest Gymnastics Center as she begins preparing for what she hopes will be her third Olympic Games. The decision about where to train, Lee said, was never complicated. The gym is not just a training facility for her; it is a sanctuary, a second home, and the place where the people who know her best have always believed in her.
“Allie and Jess are like my parents,” Lee said, referring to Alison and Jess Graba, who have been pillars of her life since she was a child. Jess Graba has coached Lee since she was 6 years old, when she was a tiny, energetic kid who loved flipping around her house. Alongside his wife, Alison, he helped transform that raw enthusiasm into one of the most decorated gymnastics careers in American history.
“We've been through so much together,” Lee said. “I honestly couldn't see myself with anybody else, and I wouldn't want to do this process with anybody else, especially for L.A.”
A Trusted Team, Now Reunited
This Olympic cycle also brings another familiar face into the fold. Jeff Graba, Jess's identical twin brother and Lee's former college coach at Auburn University, has rejoined the coaching staff. Jeff's return gives Lee a trusted team that has been part of nearly every chapter of her gymnastics career. The brothers have spent years coaching together, joking together, and occasionally confusing everyone else with their identical looks. For Lee, having both of them by her side is more than just a comfort; it is an essential part of her process.
“They know me better than I know myself,” Lee said. “They understand me and how I work as an athlete, but also just as a human.” That trust, forged over years of wins, losses, injuries, and comebacks, has become one of Lee's biggest reasons for returning home. She knows that the road to a third Olympics will be grueling, and she wants to travel it with people who see her not just as a medal count, but as a person.
Jess Graba echoed that sentiment. “It's just too much work to do something like this and not have fun,” he said. “You better enjoy doing it and who you're doing it with.” The joy of the sport, he added, is central to Lee's longevity. She has never been the kind of athlete who trains purely for external validation; she trains because she loves the challenge, the process, and the community around her.
Reflection and Rediscovery After Paris
Following the Paris Olympics, where Lee helped the U.S. women's gymnastics team win gold and added individual bronze medals in the all-around and uneven bars, Lee stepped away from the competitive spotlight. She spent time living in New York, building her personal brand, and reflecting on what came next. That period was essential, she said, for helping her regain confidence and rediscover herself outside of gymnastics. The time away gave her clarity about what she wanted for her future, and ultimately, it led her back to the sport she has loved since childhood.
But the road back was not without its challenges. Lee has been open about her battle with kidney issues, which she publicly revealed in 2023. She has spoken candidly about the physical and mental toll that competing at the highest level takes, especially while managing a chronic condition. Her resilience in the face of these obstacles has made her a role model for athletes and non-athletes alike. The decision to train for another Olympic cycle was not made lightly, but Lee says she feels healthier and more grounded than she has in years.
The Minnesota gym where she trains has become more than just a place to practice routines. It is a gathering place where young gymnasts look up to her, where families cheer for her, and where Lee says she feels completely at home. “I love getting to come back and seeing all of the little kids and all of them running up to me,” she said. That connection to the community has always been part of her motivation. She remembers being that little kid, dreaming of the Olympics, and she carries that memory with her every time she steps onto the floor.
A Legacy of Excellence
Lee's gymnastics resume is remarkable by any standard. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, she won the all-around gold medal, becoming the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics and the first Asian American woman to win the all-around title. She also took home a team silver and a bronze on the uneven bars in Tokyo. Four years later in Paris, she proved her staying power by helping the U.S. team reclaim gold and adding individual bronze medals in the all-around and uneven bars. Her performances have made her one of the most recognizable faces in American gymnastics.
But her journey has never been just about the medals. Growing up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Lee was part of a large, close-knit Hmong family. Her father, John Lee, was a crucial influence in her early years, building a balance beam in their backyard and encouraging her to pursue her dreams. When her father suffered an accident that left him paralyzed, Lee has said that she competed in Tokyo with him in mind, and his strength pushed her through the pressure of the Olympic stage.
She also made history as a collegiate athlete at Auburn University, where she balanced NCAA competition with elite gymnastics, a feat that is extremely demanding. Her college career further solidified her bond with Jeff Graba, who coached her alongside the rest of the Auburn staff. The connections she built there have stayed with her, and they are now part of the reason she feels confident about the next chapter.
Preparing for a Third Olympic Run
The road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a long one, and Lee knows that she will need to manage her body and her schedule carefully. The U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials are scheduled for June 2028 in Louisville, Kentucky. The competition will determine who earns a spot on Team USA for the Los Angeles Games, where gymnastics will once again be one of the marquee events. Lee will be in her late twenties by then, which is considered older for an elite gymnast, but she has already shown that she can defy expectations.
Her training at Midwest Gymnastics Center will focus on rebuilding strength, refining technique, and introducing new or upgraded skills to keep her competitive against a deep field of American gymnasts. The United States has an abundance of talent, with young gymnasts rising through the ranks and veterans like Simone Biles also contemplating their futures. Lee's experience, artistry, and consistency make her a valuable asset to any team, and she is determined to be in the conversation when the Olympic trials arrive.
The support of the Graba family has been a constant throughout her career. Jess and Alison have coached Lee through injuries, losses, and moments of doubt. They have celebrated her victories and helped her navigate the pressures of fame. In many ways, they have become her second family, and their presence is a reminder of the small, humble beginnings that launched her into the global spotlight.
“I think it's been fantastic, honestly,” Jess Graba said of the reunion with his brother Jeff and the return of Lee. “It's been a really good full-circle moment.” Indeed, the scene at Midwest Gymnastics Center now resembles the early days when Lee first dreamed of making it to the Olympics. The same coaches, the same gym, the same community, and the same passion are all there.
For Lee, the journey is far from over. She is embracing the process, surrounded by the people who believed in her long before the rest of the world did. As she begins this new chapter, her message is simple: she wants to enjoy the ride, push her limits, and see how far she can go with the family she found at the gym. The Los Angeles Games may be more than a thousand days away, but Lee's focus is already squarely on the opportunity ahead. She knows that the work starts now, and she is exactly where she wants to be.
Source:MSN News