Post by rainman on Mar 2, 2008 9:48:33 GMT -5
Mary Lou Retton elected to W.Va. Sports Hall
By Doug Huff
W.Va. Sports Writers Association
WHEELING— Mary Lou Retton, who became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics, has been elected to the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Retton will be inducted on May 4 at the 62nd annual Victory Awards Dinner at Lakeview Resort near Morgantown. The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
At age 16, she won the hearts of millions at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games by becoming the first, and only, U.S. winner of the individual all-around gold medal. The dramatic competition came down to the last event, the vault, where she scored a rare perfect 10 to capture the title. She went on to win a total of five medals, the most by any athlete at the 1984 Olympics. In addition to the gold medal, she won two silver and two bronze medals.
A year later, she became the youngest inductee into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Born Jan. 24, 1968 in Fairmont, she began studying gymnastics at the age of seven in her hometown. Her career took off when she relocated to Houston to train under famed international instructor Bela Karolyi.
Besides her Olympic Games’ success, she is the only woman to win three American Cups (1983-85) and the only American to win Japan’s prestigious Chunichi Cup (1983). She also won two U.S. Gymnastics Federation American Classics (1983-84) and the all-around title at both the 1984 National Championships and Olympic Trials.
She retired from competition in 1986.
Retton has won numerous prestigious awards and been featured on the cover of several national magazines. She was the 1984 Associated Press Female Amateur Athlete of the Year and the Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year. A national sports survey labeled her the most popular athlete in America and she was included in the “25 Most Influential Women” by the 1985 World Almanac.
A resident of Houston, with her husband, Shannon Kelley, and four daughters, she was inducted in 2005 into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
She continues to be in demand as a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson and travels the world as a “Fitness Ambassador” promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise. She also serves as national chairperson and sits on the Board of Governors of the Children’s Miracle Network.
Her parents, Ronnie and Lois, reside in Fairmont. Her father played basketball and baseball at West Virginia University and also was a professional baseball player.
Retton is one of two West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductees this year. The other is Earl Lloyd, a West Virginia State product who became the first black to play in the National Basketball Association.
By Doug Huff
W.Va. Sports Writers Association
WHEELING— Mary Lou Retton, who became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics, has been elected to the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Retton will be inducted on May 4 at the 62nd annual Victory Awards Dinner at Lakeview Resort near Morgantown. The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
At age 16, she won the hearts of millions at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games by becoming the first, and only, U.S. winner of the individual all-around gold medal. The dramatic competition came down to the last event, the vault, where she scored a rare perfect 10 to capture the title. She went on to win a total of five medals, the most by any athlete at the 1984 Olympics. In addition to the gold medal, she won two silver and two bronze medals.
A year later, she became the youngest inductee into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Born Jan. 24, 1968 in Fairmont, she began studying gymnastics at the age of seven in her hometown. Her career took off when she relocated to Houston to train under famed international instructor Bela Karolyi.
Besides her Olympic Games’ success, she is the only woman to win three American Cups (1983-85) and the only American to win Japan’s prestigious Chunichi Cup (1983). She also won two U.S. Gymnastics Federation American Classics (1983-84) and the all-around title at both the 1984 National Championships and Olympic Trials.
She retired from competition in 1986.
Retton has won numerous prestigious awards and been featured on the cover of several national magazines. She was the 1984 Associated Press Female Amateur Athlete of the Year and the Sports Illustrated Sportswoman of the Year. A national sports survey labeled her the most popular athlete in America and she was included in the “25 Most Influential Women” by the 1985 World Almanac.
A resident of Houston, with her husband, Shannon Kelley, and four daughters, she was inducted in 2005 into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
She continues to be in demand as a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson and travels the world as a “Fitness Ambassador” promoting the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise. She also serves as national chairperson and sits on the Board of Governors of the Children’s Miracle Network.
Her parents, Ronnie and Lois, reside in Fairmont. Her father played basketball and baseball at West Virginia University and also was a professional baseball player.
Retton is one of two West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductees this year. The other is Earl Lloyd, a West Virginia State product who became the first black to play in the National Basketball Association.
