Simone Biles Is the Olympic Gymnast Queen Now, But Remember Mary Lou Retton in 1984?
The Paris Olympics are currently underway and one former gymnastic champion is rooting for Simone Biles to get the gold. Biles is now considered one of the best gymnasts of all time and has tons of superfans, including Mary Lou Retton. Forty years ago, Retton took home the gold at just 16 years old and paved the way for future female gymnasts.
While the 56-year-old is now dealing with some health issues, she certainly hasn’t lost her sense of humor or her spark for life. She admitted that if someone doesn’t know who she is, she tells them, “Google Simone Biles. I was [like that].” In 1984, Retton was the first American female gymnast to win gold in the Olympics held in Los Angeles.
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She recalls the exciting time just after she competed and shared, “I was smiling before my feet touched the floor. The Pauley Pavilion was shaking. They were all shouting, ‘Ten! Ten! Ten!’” Despite her win and talent, she quit two years later. One of her reasons for quitting was training with coach Bela Karolyi, who she said was very tough.
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Despite quitting at a young age, Retton said that she is still best friends with many of her former teammates from ’84 including Kathy Johnson, Julianne McNamara, Tracee Talavera, Michelle Dusserre and Pam Bileck. She said they call themselves the ’84 Squad and regularly have a text chain, and added, “Of course that was 40 years ago, and we’re still best friends, still sisters. We’ve helped each other go through life, you know, the good and the bad.”
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Her friends were by her side in 2023 when she almost died from a rare form of pneumonia. She spent over a month in the ICU, was on a ventilator and her family was even told to say goodbye. However, she pulled through and continues to heal. She revealed, “I was literally on my death bed — not an exaggeration. [My daughters have] shown me pictures. I don’t even remember, and I don’t recognize myself. It’s so surreal.” Retton continued that the doctors still don’t know what illness caused the pneumonia and lasting lung damage, and she relies on an oxygen tank. She also credits her daughters for helping her while she has been sick and giving her the strength to push through.
Do you remember seeing Retton win the gold at the 1984 Olympics? Have you been watching them now? Let us know in the comments!
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