Olympic gymnast Suni Lee was a recent victim of an anti-Asian attack in Los Angeles where she was pepper-sprayed, she told PopSugar in an interview.

The gold medalist said she and some friends who, like her, were of Asian descent were waiting for an Uber after a night out on the town.

Suddenly, a group speeding by in a car started yelling racial slurs and insisted the group go back to where they came from.

Lee said one passenger even sprayed her arm with pepper spray as the car sped off.

She said she was angry about the attack but felt she had little recourse, partially because of her celebrity status.

I was so mad, but there was nothing I could do or control because they skirted off, she said. I didnt do anything to them, and having the reputation, its so hard because I didnt want to do anything that could get me into trouble. I just let it happen.

Lee said one thing she did do was call her longtime coach, Jess Graba, after the incident.

Currently, Lee is competing on Dancing With The Stars, but she said she will soon need to take a break and take care of herself.

When I shared that I was feeling down, so many people reached out and either sent positive messages of encouragement or told me they were feeling similarly and not to feel alone, she said. Its OK to feel down sometimes, but what Ive realized is that its important to express your feelings and ask for help.

In the past, I might have pushed on and not acknowledged the state of my mental health. But theres so much power in owning your feelings. Its not weakness, its actually taking control.

Still, she admits theres one thing she still has trouble accepting.

I definitely dont see myself as an Olympic gold medalist, she admitted. Its crazy to think that. I still have a hard time letting it sink in.