Retton, Mary Lou

1968 - Born on the 24th of January in Fairmont, West Virginia.

1980 - She was successful at major American and international tournaments.

1983 - She moved to Houston, Texas, to train with Bela Karolyi, who helped Retton develop a style that suited her compact, muscular frame.

1984 - Achieved perfect scores in her final two events to win a dramatic victory in the all-around exercises.

         - She won first place in the vault, floor exercise, and all-around events.

1984 - Her second American Cup and the US Nationals and US Olympic Trials in 1984, Retton suffered a knee injury that forced her to undergo an operation.

         - She recovered just in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

1985 - She retired from gymnastics after winning an unprecedented third American Cup title.

1990 - She worked as a spokeswoman for the eastern U.S. drugstore chain Revco.

1997 - She was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

2004 - Retton did however deliver the Pledge of Allegiance with fellow former gymnast and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Strug on the fourth night of the Republican National Convention, and signed a letter expressing support from various U.S. athletes for the re-election of President George W. Bush.