Sunisa Lee’s long road back to the Olympics ended in a familiar spot: the medal stand

AP National Writer

PARIS (AP) — Sunisa Lee gave herself the internal validation she needed by earning a bronze medal Thursday night in the Paris Olympics women’s gymnastics all-around finals. Lee was the defending champion in the event, but she dealt with two kidney diseases between Games that caused her weight to fluctuate. She finished behind U.S. teammate Simone Biles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who were both expected to be on the podium. Lee is the first reigning Olympic champion to medal in the next games since Nadia Comenci did it in 1980.