[NFA] U.S. gymnast Sunisa Lee stepped up to claim the coveted all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Games, as family and friends celebrated the victory in Lee's home state of Minnesota.
This report produced by Jillian Kitchener.
Family and friends leapt to their feet, Thursday, as they watched Minnesota’s Sunisa Lee claim the coveted all-around gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics gymnastics competition.
The 18-year-old’s history-making moment arrived sooner than was widely expected after her teammate Simone Biles - winner of every all-around competition she entered since 2013 - dropped out of the event this week to focus on her mental health.
After a solid floor exercise in the final rotation, Lee received a total score of 57.433… clinching gold.
She told reporters (quote) "Coming into this competition I didn’t even think that I could be competing for a gold medal… I was coming to compete for a silver medal… I knew that I just had to stay focused.
I wasn’t trying to worry about the scores at all.” But back in Oakdale, Minnesota, Lee’s mom Yeev Thoj said she believed it was her daughter’s time to shine: "In my heart I say ‘Sunisa Lee is next in line.’ In my heart I told myself that.
I hold back on that… that’s my thinking, my thought.” Even so, Lee’s parents said the Olympic moment felt surreal: “I tell you - I’m happy, I’m proud, but there is no words to describe how we feel right now.” I’m still in shock." And her Dad, John Lee, had a message for his daughter: “All that hard work, all that broken bones, all that time you missed, vacationing with us - it paid off.
And you did amazing and we're proud of you.” As the marks flashed on the scoreboard, U.S. gymnasts in the Olympic stands leapt and cheered - just like Lee’s fans in Minnesota.
