PARIS – Auburn’s Sunisa Lee and Team USA put on a show Tuesday, winning gold in the women’s artistic gymnastics team competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“This team has definitely been through a lot,” Lee said. “We had so many expectations on us, but we did what we were supposed to do. We went out there and had fun with it and I think that was the most important thing. We’re just so excited.”
Team USA was dominant from the start, scoring a 171.296 and besting second place Italy by almost six points.
“What a great day for USA Gymnastics,” Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. “It was so great to see Suni back in her element, having fun. We are so proud of all she’s accomplished so far and can’t wait to see what else is in store for her this week. It was also great to hear ‘War Eagle’ from the crowd during the meet!”
Lee competed in three events for the U.S. squad, going on bars, beam and floor.
The Americans kicked off the competition with a 44.100 on vault to open up with a major lead. They moved on to bars where Lee anchored with a team-best 14.566, guiding the team to a 43.332.
Team USA moved on to beam in the third rotation and Lee was once again the top scorer for the squad, earning a 14.6 to push the Americans even further ahead from the competition. That score was tied for the highest of the day by any gymnast.
“Once I got up there, I started to calm down,” Lee said about her beam routine. “I took the pressure off myself and knew I needed to go up there and do what I normally do. And that’s exactly what I did. I think I did one of the best beam routines I’ve could’ve done.”
Lee led off the final rotation with a 13.533 on floor and teammates Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles sealed the deal to secure gold for the Americans.
Up next for Lee is the women’s all-around competition where she will defend her title. Competition kicks off Thursday, August 1 at 11:15 a.m. CT.
In addition, Lee will go for gold on the uneven bars (August 4, 8:40 a.m. CT) and beam (August 5, 5:36 a.m. CT).
