As Canada took to the world stage this past July at the Paris Olympics, one local athlete flew high as a competitor with the women’s artistic gymnastics team.
Eighteen-year-old Leasider Cassie Lee was one of only five gymnasts chosen to represent her country and shine bright on the floor, the balance beam, the uneven bars and the vault.
Lee, who began gymnastics lessons with the East York Gymnastics Club at the age of 3, earned a spot on the Junior National Team at 14, was chosen for the Senior National Team at 16 and over the past three years represented Canada in the World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Pan American Games.
Mom Binh notes that with all the training hours, school and other commitments that her daughter was juggling, she gave her multiple opportunities to walk away from the sport, but Cassie, she says, “never wavered.”
After taking a year off after her Grade 12 graduation in 2023, the gymnast spent the year dedicated to training with her coach Lisa Cowan in the hopes of making the Olympic team.
Bound and determined to realize her dream, Lee claimed her first senior Elite Canada all-around title in February 2024 after also winning gold on floor and taking silver on beam. And in June, she was chosen to represent Canada at the Olympics.
Lee states proudly and humbly that “it’s every gymnast’s dreams and goals to one day represent their country at the Olympics. It’s surreal that I was able to achieve this and to know that all the hard work and sacrifices have paid off.”
With brother Keon, mother Binh and father David cheering her on, Lee and the Canadian artistic gymnastics team were tremendously successful and qualified for team finals for the first time in 12 years. They ended up placing fifth, tying the highest Canada team placement at an Olympic final.
East York Gymnastics where Lee still trains, congratulated her, noting that “your gymnastic journey was as spectacular as its destination! You stayed centred and focused with a calm confidence, kindness and positive team spirit. Poised under pressure, you have earned not only the highest technical gymnastic achievement, but you have also earned perhaps an even greater achievement …respect!!
Lee’s next adventure will begin this fall when she enters the University of Iowa on a gymnastics scholarship to study health sciences with the goal of becoming a dentist like her mom.
Congratulations to Cassie Lee and the entire Canadian gymnastics team.
