As Gymnast Sunisa Lee Wins Gold, Her Hometown Hmong Community Has Her Back
Minnesota native Sunisa Lee is the first Hmong-American to make a U.S. Olympic team. The gymnast won a gold medal in Tokyo Thursday.
Updated July 29, 2021 at 9:13 AM ET
Minnesota native Sunisa Lee, also known as Suni, is just 18 years old, but the high school graduate is no stranger to facing down immense pressure.
In an already history-making Olympics, Lee's role in this year's games make her the first Hmong-American to make the U.S. Olympic team. She won gold in Thursday's individual all-around competition.
But the road to the podium hasn't been easy.
Lee, a member of. When Simone Biles surprised everyone and withdrew from competition during the women's team finals, Lee took Biles' place to compete on floor exercise.
