Mary Lou Retton
Trained by Bela Karolyi, Retton announced herself by winning the American Cup in 1983. She became a national star at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, when, needing a perfect score, she scored back-to-back 10s on vault and floor to win the all-around gold by 0.05 points. She was the first American woman ever to win Olympic all-around gymnastics gold.
West Virginia Dynamo
Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, Retton began gymnastics at age five. At 15 she moved to Houston to train under Bela and Marta Karolyi, who shaped her powerful, compact style.
The Perfect Night
At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, trailing Romania's Ecaterina Szabo, Retton needed perfection. She delivered two flawless 10s to claim gold by the slimmest of margins, electrifying the home crowd.
America's Sweetheart
Her gold medal made Retton an instant national icon, landing her on the Wheaties box and countless endorsements. She retired the next year, leaving a lasting mark on American gymnastics.
Career Timeline
- 1968Born in Fairmont, West Virginia
- 1983Moves to Houston to train with Bela Karolyi
- 1983Wins first American Cup title
- 1984Has knee surgery five weeks before Olympics
- 1984Wins Olympic all-around gold with perfect 10s
- 1984Named Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year
- 1984First woman featured on a Wheaties box
- 1985Inducted into US Olympic Hall of Fame
- 1985Retires from competitive gymnastics
- 1997Inducted into International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Biggest Hits
- Retton underwent knee surgery just five weeks before the 1984 Olympics yet still won the all-around gold.
- She was inspired to take up gymnastics after watching Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Portrait: Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons