RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 31: People walk by the Olympic Rings on Copacabana Beach on July 31, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
OlympicsBy Arthur Weinstein on

Mary Lou Retton, who won an Olympic gold medal and shot to instant fame after the 1984 Summer Olympics, is fighting for her life, a family member has confirmed.

Retton, 55, has been “fighting for her life” in the ICU as she battles a rare form of pneumonia.

The popular gymnast’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, posted a message on a Spotfund page for Retton explaining the situation.

“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” Kelley said. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured.

“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.”

Retton became one of the most iconic figures in U.S Olympic history at the 1984 Los Angeles games, becoming the first U.S. woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics. She added two silver and two bronze medals in those games and became an instant star, appearing in movies, endorsements and other events.

In 1993, almost a decade after those Olympics, she was still named as the most popular athlete in America in a sports study.

The sports world quickly reacted after news of Retton’s struggles.

 

[People]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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