Retton, Mary Lou

Retton, Mary Lou

(born Jan. 24, 1968, Fairmont, W.Va., U.S.) U.S. gymnast. Retton began studying dance and acrobatics at age 4. At the 1984 Olympic Games she received perfect scores in her final two events to win a dramatic victory in the combined exercises, becoming the first American woman gymnast to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Her style, exhibiting speed, accuracy, and power, served to transform women's gymnastics. She was the first gymnast inducted into the U.S. Olympics Hall of Fame (1985).

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Retton, Mary Lou (1968–  ) gymnast; born in Fairmont, W.Va. In the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the women's all-around by earning a perfect score of ten in the vault, the final event of the competition. She also won two silver and two bronze medals in individual and team competitions. Her wholesome exuberence won her many commercial endorsements, including an appearance on the front of a Wheaties cereal box.