Mary Lou Retton Biography

Mary Lou Retton, Athlete

Occup.	Athlete
From	USA
Spouse	Shannon Kelley
Born	January 24, 1968 Fairmont, West Virginia, USA
Age	56 years

Mary Lou Retton, an iconic American gymnast, was born upon January 24, 1968, in Fairmont, West Virginia. She climbed to prominence as a prodigy worldwide of gymnastics, becoming the very first American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the sport. Retton's transmittable smile, perseverance, and skill mesmerized the hearts of millions, making her a symbol of success as well as resolution in the United States as well as beyond.

Mary Lou was the youngest of 5 brother or sisters as well as started her gymnastics training at a young age. Her family identified her noticeable talent and also moved her to Houston, Texas, to educate under the tutelage of renowned Romanian coaches Béla and Márta Károlyi. Under their assistance, Retton developed right into an outstanding athlete, standing apart in a sport usually controlled by the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations.

In 1983, Retton burst onto the global stage with a success in the American Cup, where she defeated the ruling Olympic well-rounded champ Natalia Yurchenko of the Soviet Union. This achievement, combined with her victories in multiple competitions throughout the very early '80s, established the phase for her historical efficiency at the 1984 Olympic Games.

The 1984 Olympics were held in Los Angeles as well as were marked by a Soviet-led boycott that prevented several leading gymnasts from completing. Regardless, Retton's success at the Games was nothing short of unbelievable. At simply 16 years of ages, she racked up best 10s on her last two occasions - flooring workout as well as vault - to win the well-rounded gold medal by a plain 0.05 points. In all, she asserted five medals at the Games - one gold, 2 silvers, as well as two bronzes - making her among one of the most popular athletes of the 1984 Olympics. Retton's success not just made her the initial American to win the Olympic all-around, but it additionally firmly developed the United States as a giant in the sport of gymnastics.

Following her Olympic success, Retton retired from affordable acrobatics at the age of 18. However, she continued to be in the public eye as a spokesperson, inspirational audio speaker, and sports commentator. Notably, she was the very first women athlete to be included on a Wheaties cereal box, and also she has made numerous television appearances, consisting of visitor spots on preferred programs such as "Baywatch" and also "Saturday Night Live".

Retton has likewise been a dedicated supporter of charitable reasons, including serving as the national chairperson for the Children's Miracle Network as well as being associated with the Special Olympics. In 1997, she was sworn in right into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, cementing her tradition as a trendsetter in the world of gymnastics.

Throughout her life, Mary Lou Retton has been bordered by her committed household, including her husband, Shannon Kelley, as well as their 4 daughters. The Retton family continues to be an important part of Mary Lou's life, with her little girls also pursuing acrobatics as a testament to their mother's amazing impact on the sport.

Our collection contains 22 quotes who is written / told by Mary.

Related authors: Carly Patterson (Athlete), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

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22 Famous quotes by Mary Lou Retton

"As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given"

"You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost"

"Many medal winners dream of competing in a sport other than the one they're famous for"

"In L.A., we had a game room with a new sensation called Pac-Man"

"For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth"

"Companies that support sports developmental programs in our communities should also be applauded"

"As a kid, I was a pretty good little sprinter"

"The endorsement game has been very good to me"

"That's because the International Olympic Committee has a policy of never replacing medals"

"Pay-per-view would deprive many kids of the delight of seeing the Olympics"

"Former Olympians also get paid to make appearances. Many of them won their medals in an era when Olympic success didn't go hand-in-hand with financial success"

"I usually don't mind giving autographs, but when hundreds of folks with paper and pen start coming at you, it's time to seek shelter"

"Many athletes competing in Atlanta wouldn't be here if it weren't for corporate support"

"It's going to be really weird when I'm 80 years old, in a walker, and people are still calling me America's sweetheart. We need a new one"

"I love her attitude, but as much as I'd like to bring my medals to a speech or appearance, I never do"

"Be cocky. Walk into the Georgia Dome like you own it"

"If I had a bad performance in a particular leotard, I threw it in the trash"

"Having a home away from the media glare is important to world-class athletes"

"Fragile egos are put on the line every day"

"For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed"

"In the dressing room, I always put on my right shoe first. Same thing for my right wristband"

"Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience"