The gymnast sent Hoda a special hand signal before she won the Olympic gold medal in the women's all-around competition.
While the athletes have to compete without their families and friends in a spectator-free stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions, Hoda was one of the few media staffers who were allowed in the stands to cover the event.
Hoda, who is a mom to two young daughters, said she started to feel a bit emotional watching Lee compete, but the gymnast quickly mimed back another message to her, shaking her finger and telling her not to cry. Hoda said she returned the sweet gesture to Lee and couldn't help but feel a bit emotional watching her compete without her family there.Lee clinched the gold with a final score of 57.433. Brazil's Rebeca Andrade won the silver, while Russia's Angelina Melnikova earned the bronze.
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