“(Simone Biles) can still make mistakes”: Suni Lee’s coach Graba issues stern statement days before US Olympic trials

The win in Tokyo was the highlight of Suni Lee’s career, but what came next? After that, everything turned upside down for her as she faced health problems. But now, Suni Lee responds enthusiastically! Lee takes nothing for granted as she prepares for her second Olympic bid. Before that, she will face the Olympic trials starting June 27, where she will compete against her Tokyo 2020 teammate, Simone Biles, for a coveted spot in Paris representing Team USA.

However, Tokyo 2020 did not go as planned for Simone Biles, who struggled with mental blocks she called “twisties,” resulting in her withdrawal from the vault and bars finals. However, amid the unexpected turn of events, Suni Lee, then just 18 years old, found herself in the spotlight, tasked with bearing the weight of immense pressure. Despite the discouraging circumstances, Lee rose to the occasion and delivered performances that dazzled audiences around the world. However, it’s been three years since then and Suni Lee’s coach has recently shared an intriguing insight into what she felt at that moment in 2021.

On June 24, the Star Tribune’s publication shed new light on Lee’s coach’s forecast regarding Biles’ eventual departure from the competition. Coach Graba recounted the tumultuous day and described the countless challenges Lee faced as she adjusted her floor routine amid the intense Olympic atmosphere. But Graba’s strategic focus also revolved around staying close to Biles, recognizing the inherent unpredictability of gymnastics, even for the sport’s best athlete.

As he says, “Simone is the best gymnast out there, but she can still make mistakes, and our plan was always to be close enough to her so that if she made a mistake, we would be there. And because Simone works so hard at gymnastics, there’s always the chance she’ll make a mistake.”

But after retiring from the Olympic Games, Simone Biles returned strongly in 2023 in the Classics. She surprised everyone by successfully performing a difficult move called Yurchenko double pike and won the US Classic with a huge 5-point lead. Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, one wonders if Suni Lee and Simone Biles could team up again.

Can Simone Biles and Suni Lee secure a place in Paris?

As for Simone Biles’ performances this season, she showed her talent in two championships. In May 2024, Biles dominated the US Classic, achieving victory with a score of 59.5 points, leading Shilese Jones by 1.85 points. Surprisingly, Biles excelled on several apparatus, earning the highest scores on vault and floor exercises, while she placed second on uneven bars and balance beam, behind Jones and Suni Lee.

Continuing her streak of success, Biles captured her ninth overall national title at the USA Gymnastics Championships in June. With a combined score of 119.750, she bested her competitors, including Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles. Biles’ optimistic outlook for the future is evident when she expresses: “Feeling comfortable and confident in my gymnastics and hopefully going to the Olympic trials and taking the next step towards Paris.“. But what about Suni Lee?

After Tokyo 2020, Suni Lee joined Auburn University, led by coach Jeff Graba. However, her post-Olympic journey took an unexpected turn last year when she faced health problems, including a diagnosis of incurable kidney disease that halted her training for six months. Despite these setbacks, Suni Lee did not give up.

In her first all-around competition in elite gymnastics since the Tokyo Games, Suni faced challenges, including a surprising fall on vault during the USA Classic. However, she finished in fourth place, just 0.150 points off the overall podium. Building on this momentum, she placed fourth in the overall USA Xfinity Gymnastics Championships.

As she says after that, ““I’m just trying to stay composed and now I know I have to get back in the gym and work on my consistency, do my bar routine at maximum difficulty and stay consistent on the bar.”Taking into account his track record and continuous improvement, his prospects for Paris are promising. Do you think they will be able to reach Paris? Share your thoughts below!