Sunisa Lee Wins Olympic Gold, Extends USA Gymnastics Winning Streak In Simone Biles’ Absence

Sunisa Lee won the gold medal for the women’s all-around at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, continuing the United States’ dominance in the event. A member of the U.S. Gymnastics’ team has won the all-around championship at every Olympics since 2004.

Lee became Team USA’s best chance for gold when Simone Biles withdrew from the event to focus on her mental health. The 18-year-old from Minnesota stepped up in Biles’ absence, finishing ahead of Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who took the silver medal.

Lee’s score of 57.433 led the way. Andrade scored 57.298, followed by a 57.199 score from Angelina Melnikova of the Russian Olympic Committee.

Jade Carey of Team USA finished in eighth place with a score of 54.199.

Competing in her first Olympics, Lee won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2019 World Championships. She was a floor exercise silver medalist and uneven bars bronze medalist at the event.

Lee and Team USA won the silver medal in Tuesday’s team final.

One of Biles’ four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics came in the all-around event. Team USA’s Gabby Doublas took the all-around gold in 2012. Nastia Liukin did it for Team USA in 2008, and she was preceded by gold-medal winner Carly Patterson in 2004.