Profile of American Athlete: Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton also known as “Americas Sweetheart” is a well know American athlete.  She has been retired from competitive women’s gymnastics since 1986 yet still holds a special place in the hearts of Americans and the history of the sport.  Here we will learn more about the child, the athlete and the woman she is today.

Background and Childhood.
Born on January 24, 1968 in Fairmont, WV Mary Lou Retton is one of five children.  Mary Lou Retton began dance classes when she was four years old and then began gymnastic classes with her older sister.  She trained in West Virginia until the age of 14 when she moved to Houston to begin studying under Bela Karolyi.  While living in Houston she lived with a fellow student’s family and continued her education while training via correspondence courses.  She almost missed the 1984 Olympics due to a knee injury which required surgery just six weeks before the Olympics.  She recovered from surgery in just three weeks and the rest as they say “is history”.
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