© John Cheng
WHEELING, W.Va. — 1984 Olympic all-around champion Mary Lou Retton, the first U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around, has been voted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. She will be inducted on May 4 at a dinner, sponsored by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. at the Lakeview Resort.
Retton became America’s sweetheart when she won the all-around title at the 1984 Olympic Games, becoming the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She also earned silver medals in team and vault and bronze medals on the uneven bars and floor exercise. Her five medals at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles were the most won by an American in those Games. She was coached by Bela and Martha Karolyi.
Retton, who is now married with children and lives in Houston, is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Her other accomplishments include: the 1984 Associated Press Female Amateur Athlete of the Year; 1984 Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year; and one of the “25 Most Influential Women” in the 1985 World Almanac. She is a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson and is on the Board of Governors of the Children’s Miracle Network.