Mary Lou Retton: Gymnastics
Mary Lou Retton (born: January 24, 1968) is a retired American gymnast, known as the first American woman gymnast to win Olympic gold for the all-around event. Her body type is more muscular built than many women gymnasts.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal for the all-around, silver medals for team and vault, bronze medals for uneven bars and floor exercise.
She became Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the year and Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in 1984.
IN 1997, Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Why Was She So Good?
Retton took the world by storm when she ruptured onto the gymnastic front with all the liveliness and energy she could muster. She was one of the first people who changed the way the others thought of a gymnast, not having the regular and typical physique for gymnastics. Retton was a positive person and dedicated to the sport that until this day, she continues to inspire more people – she showed the world that it’s achievable to wish something just so you have perseverance and a great mind-set.
What You May Not Know
- When she was younger, she would sleep in her leotard on Friday nights because she was so excited about gymnastics the following day.
- Her most notable endorsement was Wheaties; she was the first woman to become the product endorser for the infamous box.
- “The Retton Flip” is named after her.
- In 1984, the U.S. Olympic Committee created the Mary Lou Retton Award – athletic excellence.
- When she retired, she attended the University of Texas, Austin.
Was she a legend?
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Related Pages
- More Gymnastics athletes
- About Gymnastics
- Athlete Database home
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