Mary Lou Retton Gymnast, Olympic champion Date of Birth: 24.01.1968 Country: USA

1. Biography of Mary Lou Retton
2. Gymnastics Success and Olympic Triumph
3. Post-Olympic Career and Popularity
4. Personal Life and Health Challenges

Biography of Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton, a gymnast and Olympic champion, was born in 1968 in Fairmont, West Virginia. She comes from an Italian background, as her maternal relatives have Italian roots, and her original surname is Rotunda. Mary Lou began her gymnastics career in her hometown, with her first coach being Gary Rafaloski. Later, after moving to Houston, Texas, the talented young girl found herself under the guidance of the renowned coach Bela Karolyi, who also trained Nadia Comaneci.

Gymnastics Success and Olympic Triumph

In 1983, Mary Lou celebrated her first significant athletic victory by becoming the American champion. Although she had to miss the World Championships that same year due to an injury, the 1984 Olympics were still ahead. It is worth noting that the Soviet Union boycotted those Olympics in response to the American boycott of the Moscow Olympics in 1980. It was during those Olympics in Los Angeles that Retton achieved her Olympic gold, as well as silver as part of the team and in the vault event, and two bronze medals in other disciplines. Mary Lou became the leader in terms of the number of Olympic medals won.

Post-Olympic Career and Popularity

After her Olympic success, Retton immediately gained immense popularity. She endorsed sportswear, participated in sports nutrition programs, and even had minor roles in films such as "Scrooged" and "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult." Mary Lou also frequently appeared as a television commentator for gymnastics competitions. She became the face of the "Wheaties" cereal company and was featured on their cereal boxes. Additionally, Retton worked as a representative for the pharmaceutical chain "Revco" in the 1990s. In 1992, the athlete was honored to be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1997, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Personal Life and Health Challenges

Mary Lou Retton married Shannon Kelley, and they have four daughters together. Until recently, they lived in Houston but moved to West Virginia in 2009. Retton's quick retirement from competitive gymnastics at the peak of her career was due to her deteriorating health caused by her congenital hip dysplasia. She has been battling this condition her entire life and underwent her latest operation in Warsaw in 2008. In 2002, Mary Lou appeared on television in the children's entertainment program "Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop," which was produced by her husband.