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Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton, celebrated for her remarkable achievements in gymnastics during the 1984 Olympics, is currently battling a severe case of rare pneumonia in the hospital, as her daughter revealed via social media on Tuesday.
Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, disclosed that her mother is in the intensive care unit and has been dependent on a ventilator to breathe. Kelley also mentioned that Retton "is not insured," prompting the family to set up a fundraising page on Spotfund to help cover the medical expenses.
While the family initially aimed to raise $50,000 for her treatment, the fundraising goal was exceeded within a short time.
Kelley urged her mother's fans and supporters to "please continue to pray," words that underscored the severity of Retton's condition.
You can see the post below.
@mckennkelley/Instagram
Retton's place in history was secured when she became the first American woman to win an individual all-around gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Remarkably, she accomplished this feat as a high school sophomore, just weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
Her exceptional achievement earned her the title of "Sportswoman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated and numerous endorsement deals throughout the 1990s. During her competitive gymnastics career, she was renowned for a move called "the Retton flip," which was considered a groundbreaking display of athleticism. Her technique was described by The New York Times as "an affront to gravity."
For two decades, she remained the only American woman to win the all-around title, a record broken by Carly Patterson in 2004.
Many have expressed their support while commenting on the fact that one of America's most celebrated athletes lacked health insurance.
According to the Times, Retton began her gymnastics journey at a young age, eventually capturing the attention of legendary coach Bela Karolyi. He played a pivotal role in her journey to the 1984 Olympics, where she earned her historic gold medal.
Beyond her gymnastic achievements, Retton also ventured into film and television, most notably making an appearance in 1988's hit Christmas comedyScrooged. She later transitioned to a career as a motivational speaker, advocating for the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise.