Became enthralled with the short 4 9 exuberant mary lou retton in her attempt to win gold in gymnastics a sport that had long been dominated by the soviet union.
Mary lou retton floor 1984 olympics.
Mary lou retton born january 24 1968 is a retired american gymnast.
At the 1984 summer olympics in los angeles she won a gold medal in the individual all around competition as well as two silver medals and two bronze medals.
Artistic gymnastics los angeles 1984 retton mary lou united states of america.
Mary lou retton the u s.
3 1984 file photo mary lou retton of the united states performs on the balance beam during the women s gymnastics individual all around finals at the summer olympic games in los angeles.
The times picayune reported which came in the competition s final floor routine.
Mary lou retton became the first gold medal woman ever to win the gold me.
Retton finished in third place with a score of 19 775 points.
Olympic gymnast mary lou retton cheers on daughter at ncaa women s gymnastics championships.
File in this aug.
Mary lou retton s compulsory floor exercise from the 1984 olympic games in los angeles.
When retton received perfect scores in her final two events she became the first american woman to win an individual gold medal in gymnastics.
Ap photo suzanne vlamis file.
Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the united states.