Retton, Mary Lou
Gymnastics
b. Jan. 24, 1968, Fairview, WV
Commonly described by sportswriters as a "little powerhouse," Retton brought a new dynamism into women's gymnastics, an energetic style that has become the trademark of recent American champions.
Before Retton, champion gymnasts had generally been delicate and sylph-like, graceful rather than powerful. Retton had a different body type. Though tiny by ordinary standards, at 4-foot-9 and 94 pounds, she was solid and muscular, capable of explosive movements rarely seen in women's gymnastics.
No American woman had ever won an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics until 1984. Retton won four, a gold in the all-around, a silver in the vault, and bronzes in the uneven bars and the floor exercise. She was the only woman to qualify for the finals in all four apparatus events, finishing fourth in the balance beam. Her performances came just two months after arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from her right knee.
While some considered Retton's medals tainted because of the Soviet boycott of the Los Angeles games, she had already demonstrated her ability to compete successfully against the best in the world. She was one of the favorites in the 1983 world championships, but missed the competition because of a wrist injury. However, earlier that year she won the all-around American Cup competition, and in December she became the first American woman to win the Chunichi Cup.
Retton was named Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year in 1984. She retired from amateur competition soon after her Olympic triumphs to do television commentary and commercials.