SAINT PAUL, Minn. — There are more than a dozen athletes from our area and even more from the region competing in Paris.
One of the state's most recognizable athletes is Suni Lee from Saint Paul, and her State Sen. Foung Hawj, is a certifiable super fan.
His video went viral Thursday, posting it to X with "his version" of the uneven bars, completing 15 dips on some playground equipment while he cheered her on.
"This effort is outstanding," replied one X user. "You'll power her up for sure!"
Foung Hawj helped lead efforts to get the USA Olympic Gymnastics Trials to Minnesota. Leaving Friday evening, he'll soon cheer Suni on in Paris.
"I'm so proud that she's a symbol globally," he said while standing proudly next to her monument along Phalen Lake. "The most famous Hmong person in the world right now! I hope I am the second!"
Others dropped by Suni's statue Friday, which is now draped in an American Flag bandana from the senator.
KARE 11 also talked to Roseville resident Lily Rieke, a jogger at Lake Phalen Friday, who said, "I just think it's really inspiring to see an Asian American in the Olympics — and a Minnesotan."