2021 Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year: US Olympic gymnast Suni Lee - Sports Illustrated
By A Mystery Man Writer
![](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTg1ODM3MDE4NzM4MDc1MDI4/suni-lee-biles-hug.jpg)
When her teammate came down with the twisties, she bounded into the breach, helping Team USA get silver and earning an all-around gold she never even imagined.
![](https://www.si.com/.image/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_face%2Cq_auto:good/MjAzNzAxMjU5MDIzMzYxOTM4/apstein-headshot.jpg)
2021 Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year: US Olympic gymnast Suni Lee - Sports Illustrated
![](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTg1ODM3MDE4NzM4MDc1MDI4/suni-lee-biles-hug.jpg)
2021 Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year: US Olympic gymnast Suni Lee - Sports Illustrated
![](https://www.si.com/.image/ar_1:1%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTg1ODM3MDE4NzM4MDc1MjY0/suni-lee-athlete-2021-lead.jpg)
2021 Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year: US Olympic gymnast Suni Lee - Sports Illustrated
![](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTg1ODM3MDE4NzM4MTQwNTY0/suni-lee-olympics-gold-medal.jpg)
2021 Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year: US Olympic gymnast Suni Lee - Sports Illustrated