Sunisa Lee Announces 2028 Olympic Return With Team USA Hopes

Sunisa Lee has officially returned to elite gymnastics ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, posting a video on Instagram on Tuesday with the words: “I’m back.” The three-time Olympic medalist joins former teammate Jade Carey and retired collegiate star Katelyn Ohashi in chasing another podium finish for Team USA.

What happened?

Lee dropped her comeback announcement just three months after Carey revealed her own 2028 plans. Carey already made her elite return at the American Classic in late June, winning two golds. Ohashi stunned the gymnastics world weeks earlier by announcing her comeback too, and competed at the same meet-her first elite event in over a decade-where she took bronze on the balance beam.

Lee’s Instagram clip mixed training footage with highlights from past competitions. Over a voiceover, she said: “I know what I’m capable of and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there.” The video landed on 16 July 2026, marking the first public sign of Lee’s competitive return since Paris 2024.

Why it matters for Sunisa Lee

At 23, Lee is now the oldest of the trio aiming for LA 2028. She won team silver in Tokyo 2020 and added two more medals in Paris 2024, bringing her Olympic total to three. Her all-around title at Tokyo 2020 cemented her as one of the U.S. team’s anchor athletes, alongside Simone Biles.

Ohashi’s return adds another layer of intrigue. The 29-year-old beat Biles in the 2013 American Cup at 15, before injuries derailed her elite career. Her viral 2019 NCAA floor routine-scored a perfect 10-has racked up over 250 million views online, proving her enduring fanbase.

Who else could join them?

Biles, the most decorated American gymnast ever, hasn’t confirmed her 2028 plans. In May she called a 50% chance she’ll compete again. Jordan Chiles, who shared the Tokyo and Paris podiums with Biles and Lee, has also left the door open. Skye Blakely, a seasoned elite, is another contender for the roster.

The official team will be named on 19 June 2028, after two days of trials. Lee, Carey and 2024 alternate Hezly Rivera are seen as the front-runners, with Biles and Chiles as wild cards if they enter the mix.

What comes next?

Fans will watch how Lee’s training progresses through the 2027 season. Her comeback comes two years out from LA 2028, giving her time to rebuild toward the all-around and event finals. The U.S. women’s team has dominated the last decade, and another gold in 2028 would extend that streak.

Ohashi’s first elite meet since 2013 showed rust but also flashes of brilliance. She scored 13.950 on beam in her comeback, proving she can still hit under pressure. Carey, meanwhile, already looks sharp after her June return, posting 14.800 on floor and 14.650 on vault.

The gymnastics world now waits on Biles. If she joins Lee, Carey and Ohashi, the 2028 team could rewrite the record books before the opening ceremony even starts.