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 Mary
Lou Retton catapulted to international fame at the 1984 Olympic
Games in Los Angeles, becoming the first American woman ever to
win the gold medal in the All-Around in women's gymnastics. As a
member of the silver medalist team from the U.S., she also won an
individual silver medal in the vault, as well as bronze medals in
the uneven bars and floor exercise. Her five medals were the most
won by any athlete at the 1984 Olympics.
Mary Lou's historic Olympic performances, along with her radiant
smile and enthusiasm, brought her recognition as Sports Illustrated
magazine’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1984. That same year,
the Associated Press awarded her the title Amateur Athlete of
the Year. In 1993, almost a decade after her Los Angeles triumph,
an Associated Press national survey named her the Most Popular
Athlete in America. Mary Lou serves as a host of the annual Celebration
broadcast and makes numerous visits to children’s hospitals
and corporate partners. She will participate in many events at
this year’s Celebration.
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