Suni Lee, the acclaimed Olympic gymnast, was awarded her first ESPY on Thursday for Best Comeback Athlete. The recognition follows a challenging period for Lee, during which she battled two rare kidney diseases that sidelined her for much of 2023. Her subsequent return to elite competition culminated in securing three medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In a poignant moment, Lee brought her doctor, Marcia Faustin, as her date to the ESPY Awards. Her acceptance speech focused on the crucial support she received throughout her health struggles.
From Hospital Bed to Olympic Podium
Lee’s journey back to the competitive arena was arduous. She openly discussed the difficulties of her recovery, particularly after receiving a medical opinion that suggested her return to gymnastics might be impossible. “I mean, it was probably one of the hardest things that I’ve done,” Lee told SportsCenter prior to the event. “There were so many times where I wanted to quit gymnastics, and also I didn’t believe in myself.”
She recounted the emotional impact of medical assessments: “Having a doctor, quite literally, tell you that you’re never going to be able to do this again, it’s kind of like – it’s very heartbreaking one, because it was out of my control.” Despite these formidable obstacles, Lee, who had always dreamed of the Olympics, persevered.
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In her acceptance speech, she specifically thanked Dr. Faustin. “To Dr. Marcia Faustin, she’s actually here in the crowd with me today. Thank you for guiding me through the toughest moments, reading every scan and report by my side,” Lee stated, as the audience applauded. Dr. Faustin is a family medicine and sports medicine physician, serving as co-head team physician for both UC Davis Division I intercollegiate athletics and the USA Gymnastics women’s national team.
Lee also extended her gratitude to her coaches, Ali (Alison Lim) and Jess (Jess Graba), who “never gave up, even when things looked impossible.”
Lee's speech underscored her determination. "I'm so proud we never said no for an answer. From hospital beds to three Olympic medals in Paris, this is proof that no setback can stop you if you don't stop fighting," she affirmed. Her message concluded with an empowering statement: "I just have to say, never, ever underestimate a girl who is determined to prove her worth to herself."
Faustin has accompanied the U.S. women's gymnastics team to both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (where Lee earned one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal) and the recent 2024 Paris Olympics (where she secured another gold and two more bronze medals).
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Lee, 22, has openly discussed her experience living with kidney disease, penning a personal essay for Women's Health in March 2025. She wrote, "Before I got sick, I didn't really know anything about kidney disease other than that it was a serious illness. It never occurred to me that it could happen to someone my age or someone as healthy and fit as I was." She emphasized that while kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be treated with accurate diagnosis, acknowledging that she will "never be the same Suni I was before everything happened."
