That sucked all the calcium out of me," she said, laughing. Retton is executive producer and star of the show, a series for under-6 set. (Retton lives in Houston, and the show is filmed in Los Angeles. Now she's going for platinum. I wanted to tell people why., I knew I wanted to do it in a classy way, she continues. Retton was inspired by watching Nadia Comneci outshine defending Olympic two-event winner Olga Korbut on television at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, when she herself was eight years of age, and she took up gymnastics in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Route 79 permanently closes in Fall River Video / Feb 27, 2023 / 07:27 . Ill probably have some more operations in the future, but its alright.. She was also on the school's acrobatics and tumbling team for all four years. Retton doesn't like to interfere with her kids' gymnastics careers. I popped a rib last week, so thats pretty painful. Mary Lou Retton may have been the first American woman to win all-around gold at the Olympics, but her daughter McKenna Kelley says that growing up, she didnt quite understand all that her mother had accomplished. ", Houston, she said, "has become home to me. She also says she checked comments on her social media pages something she doesnt normally do to see if her story inspired anybody going through the same thing. "People still come up to me and say they remember where they were during the summer of 1984," she said. The floors today are like little trampolines. It was just to say it in a way that I felt would let people know what Im going through but yet still do it with loving words.. [emailprotected]. Happy Monday! she wrote in the caption alongside several happy face emojis. "I just want them to know that I'm proud of them no matter what, whether they're gymnasts or not, just because they're human.". They were angry in the beginning, and any child should be with their family being torn apart but weve vowed that we would do holidays together and were going to try to make it as seamless and as painless as possible., I dont think they were surprised, she adds. She posts videos about her daily life, which often feature her siblings and husband, Wyatt Schrepfer, who also studied at Baylor University. She posts videos about her daily life, which often feature her siblings and husband, Wyatt Schrepfer, who also studied at Baylor University. ", Gymnastics, she said, "is a brutal sport. 1,325 following. "I tell her every season, 'McKenna, I'm really gonna do it this season. One gold, two silver and two bronze. book to class, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend. The retired Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast revealed her split from her husband of 27 years publicly for the. The tour benefits The McKenna Kelly Foundation, which donates to non-profits focusing on mental health. 1,054 Likes, 31 Comments - Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) on Instagram: "Having so much fun with this young lady #Mother/DaughterForeverOurLegacy2023" It really helped me find that woman that I was searching for. Retired American gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, took to social media to celebrate her look-alike daughter, Skylas graduation from high school. She then decided to move to Houston, Texas, to train under Romanians Bla and Mrta Krolyi, who had coached Nadia Comneci before their defection to the United States. [6] (The original family name was "Rotunda. Daughter of Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Kelly Her mother Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal in the all-around at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Her father Shannon Kelley. (She shared the title with Mackenzie Brannan.) Although Kelley is a senior at LSU, she missed the entirety of her junior season due to injury. "All my problems came after I had my babies. Her three other children, all girls, include Shayla (b. Retton recovered and, trailing Szabo entering her final event in the all-around at Los Angeles, received a perfect score of 10.0 on the "vault without fault" to win the gold medal by 0.05 points. 55 minutes ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon Retton said she and Kelley simply grew apart. '", Despite her daughters' success in their athletic pursuits, Retton has said that the main thing she's focused on is their happiness. When Louisiana State University gymnast McKenna Kelley nailed the final floor routine of the night at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, no one was prouder than her mom, Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton. These signs can't quit complaining to anyone who will listen. Growing up, I never had that pressure, Kelley told espnW as a freshman competitor. That would be really amazing if I found myself a dancer. I'm gonna sit down like most of the other parents and just clap when you go and be quiet and civilized.' She retired from gymnastics after graduating college, but McKenna is still involved with the sport in her own way. [19][20], Retton was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? I havent officially announced this, but I have decided to graduate with my senior class. In addition to McKenna, Retton has three other daughters with ex Shannon Kelley: Shayla Rae, 24, Skyla Brae, 19, and Emma Jean, 16. Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays (8 p.m. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb, While McKenna grew up with a world-famous Olympian, she says that her mom never pressured her into becoming a gymnast. She attended her daughter's graduation ceremony wearing a floral print top and an elaborately designed mini skirt. I think people expect this elaborate answer of she made me run at 6 a.m in the morning but shes just mom to me. I wasnt there to bash my ex. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis), Mary Lou Retton of the USA is hugged by her coach, Bela Karolyi, following her perfect performance in the floor exercise in Olympic individual all-around finals Friday night, Aug. 3, 1984 in Los Angeles. } ); McKenna Kelley at the NCAA Womens National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Team USA Gymnast Earns First Olympic Medal in Floor Final at Tokyo Olympics, Mary Lou Retton Divorces Husband Shannon Kelley After 27 Years of Marriage: 'I Felt Very Alone', Simone Biles Suddenly Exits Women's Team Event but Says She's 'OK' and May Be Back for Other Finals, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and More Gymnasts React to Simone Biles Bowing Out of Team Final, This UCLA Gymnast Earned a Perfect 10 for Her Epic Floor Routine Watch Her Flip Around the Mat, Sunisa Lee 'Didn't Even Think' She Could Win Gold in Gymnastics All-Around: 'It Was So Emotional', first American woman to win all-around gold at the Olympics, only began pursuing elite gymnastics five years ago, cheer her daughter on at the NCAA championships. Instead of pursuing gymnastics, Skyla was on the cheerleading team during her four years of high school. Naturally, the reminders and . The teenage beauty was pictured wearing the traditional graduation attire a navy blue graduation gown with oversized sleeves and cap. and I LOVE it!!. She also scored a perfect 10 on a floor exercise at a meet against Oregon State University. With a famous mom like Olympic gymnastics superstar Mary Lou Retton, there must be some pressure for her daughter, McKenna Kelley, to take up the mantle of gymnastics greatness. A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton), Even with four kids who've done gymnastics, Retton has never been tempted to coach them herself. Mary Lou Retton celebrates her gold in the all-around at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Im scared!, I guess I got to find myself a dancer, dont I? she adds. Also in 2016, Shayla and her team's pyramid toss scored a 9.9 at a meet against Quinnipiac University. One fan, @emmadilemma83 wrote alongside a heart emoji: She definitely has your smile!!!! ET) on ABC. When she was 18, Retton retired from professional gymnastics because she "wanted to be remembered as a winner" and not as "some struggling older athlete," per NBC Sports. I showed the world what the sport was going to be - power and athleticism as opposed to just the graceful, artistic side of things.". Shes worked really hard to come back from a serious injury, did two events and was ready to do beam tonight. 1 day ago. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Kerri Strug's Heroic Vault Was 25 Years Ago. ( Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle ). Subscribe to @olympics: http://oly.ch/Subscribe America celebrates following this stunning performance in the Women's Individual All-Round Gymnastics com. HOUCHRON CAPTION (12/11/2001): Mary Lou Retton-Kelley puts the final touch on the torch's trek through Houston, lighting up the cauldron at the George R. Brown Convention Center. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=8e5ae5ac-c0fe-4cb7-a763-297f2e753f04&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=4612927192140223316'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); And the whole place, it was just such a moment.. 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). Next is Skyla Kelley, who's 21 years old and studying at Texas Tech University. You dont want to get hurt or anything!'. Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter. Follow. (Not in Picture). If anything, when we were growing up shed be like, You should quit. pic.twitter.com/FayDig23lR, LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) April 21, 2019. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It was picture perfect, her daughter agreed. I have a bad knee, and Im pretty sure I re-tore my rotator cuff, which Ive had three operations on, so thats not fun. Wonderful final performance for her career at @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DR9R83G9P8. What a way to close the night. Just 16 at the time, Retton who underwent knee surgery just five weeks before the Olympics went on to score perfect 10s on both the floor exercises and the vault. And I feel like people have a hard time believing that. NO MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THIS YOUNG LADY. I talked to Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin before I went out, and they said it would be an incredible journey thats what I was hoping for, and it certainly was. A women's gymnastics competition tour open to USA Gymnastics, NGA, & AAU levels 1-10 and Xcel divisions. Experts give insight into the biggest social media lies. McKenna and her mom co-host the women's gymnastics tour, "For Mothers and Daughters Forever Our Legacy." She was one of the most beautiful gymnasts I've ever seen. In addition to McKenna, Retton has three other daughters with ex Shannon Kelley: Shayla Rae, 24, Skyla Brae, 19, and Emma Jean, 16. But my mom never, ever put pressure on us. She did not arrive at this point in her life unscathed. Mary Lou Retton was the first American female to have an Olympic all-around gold. Last year, the athlete tore her Achilles tendon and spent the season on the sidelines. 1997), and Emma (b. No more high school for this young lady! [8] She competed in the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, California, during her sophomore year of high school. After the show aired, Retton says a lot of people reached out and were surprised to hear that she and Kelley had separated. See Her Now. "I try to make every competition I can," Retton said in a 2016 ESPN feature. Later, the proud mom took to Instagram to share a photo with her 22-year-old daughter. } else { When McKenna Kelley nailed her floor routine at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, no one was prouder than her mom, Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton. Retton, 51, was in the audience watching as her daughter's performance earned a sky-high score of 9.95, mere hundredths from the coveted perfect 10. Houston Baptist University football program. Retton is credited as the first American female gymnast to win gold in the all-around competition at the Olympics. In fact, in 2016, Retton told ESPN she'd once vowed to Kelley, whose dad is Retton's husband, Shannon Kelley, that she'd try to tone it down. This wasn't her only win at the games; she also won silver in the team and vault competitions, along with bronze medals in uneven bar and floor exercise. I just felt this is my chance to really be clear and to be transparent to people. She moved back to Houston in 2012. The couple has four daughters together Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, 16 and she explained that she was very thankful for her kids, as they love her unconditionally. They have been married for 25 years and have four daughters - Shayla, a member of Baylor University's national champion acrobatics and tumbling team; McKenna, a gymnast at LSU; Skyla, who attends Second Baptist School; and Emma, a potential elite gymnast who trains at Stars Gymnastics in west Houston. The image was posted to commemorate the latters milestone leaving high-school. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. Last Christmas, she shared a photo of her and her sisters in matching pajamas on Instagram. Last Christmas, she shared a photo of her and her sisters in matching pajamas on Instagram. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); As to whether she has gotten a chance to step back into the dating pool, Retton says, Not yet!, Im scared a little bit, she says. "I will pick and choose some appearances, but I need to take care of these kids and support them and love them. McKenna, who's now 24, was co-championof the Nastia Liukin Cup, an annual U.S. competition hosted by the former Olympian, in 2014. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing In her senior year, she scored a 9.8875 in the vault competition at the NCAA Team Finals. Thats all she is, her daughter replied. She also competed in multiple club gymnastics competitions when she was in high school. But she and her siblings were never forced to continue doing it if they didn't want to, which McKenna noted to Tiger Rag, an LSU magazine. Kelley scored a stellar 9.95. pic.twitter.com/YrERX9CtZ3. Verified. Mary Lou Retton, right, and her daughters Shayla Kelley, back left, and McKenna, back right, rush in to hug Samantha Peszek, right, and Alicia Sacramone after Peszek and Sacramone were named to the Olympic team on the final day of the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp at Women's National Team Training Center, Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Retton brings name recognition. I dont think the ex told anybody, but thats just coming from me that could be wrong. Emma, who is the baby of the family at age 19, recently finished her freshman year on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas. Her path was different than mine and Im so proud of everything.. 1 day ago, by Yerin Kim How Many Kids Do Ben and Erin Napier Have? Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. "Honestly, I don't really give advice or get involved unless asked," she explained. Among them, a bona fide gymnastics icon: Kelley's mom, Mary Lou Retton, the first American woman to win an Olympic all-around gold, who was flashing perfect-10 fingers, blowing kisses to Kelley, and getting tearful as she watched her daughter's team take home the runner-up trophy. Kerri Strug's Heroic Vault Was 25 Years Ago. She's got the gold. The beautiful star was, however, more than happy to share that her grown daughter is on her way into adulthood. As Kelley took her final bow after her stellar performance, the crowd went wild. "My goal was to come to Houston because the Karolyis were going to give me my best shot at making the Olympic team," Retton said. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); 08/24/1998 - (L-R) Mary Lou Retton, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, Franelle Rogers and Mayor Lee Brown meet in Brown's office to discuss details of the third annual USOC Coach of the Year awards Sept. 19 at the Hyatt Regency Imperial Ballroom. McKenna, who's now 24, was co-champion of the Nastia Liukin Cup, an annual U.S. competition hosted by the former Olympian, in 2014. Skater Gracie Gold 'Overwhelmed' After Emotional Routine Returning from Depression Struggles, All the Olympians Who've Competed on 'Dancing with the Stars', Simone Biles and 'Today' Surprise Sunisa Lee's Father with New Wheelchair: 'This is Amazing', Mary Lou Retton talks about staying healthy for her kids, UCLA Gymnast Who Scored Perfect 10 Officially Finishes Her College Career with Upbeat Routine, Jade Carey Wins Gold! I'm so grateful to be following you on social media: you were my first ever hero @marylouretton, and I wanted to be just like you.. https://twitter.com/mckennamckelley/status/1120331854186536962. After nearly 30 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2018, but they still share their four daughters: Shayla Kelley, McKenna Kelley, Skyla Kelley, and Emma Kelley. It was a special weekend for the RI Sports Commission, GoProvidence, and Convention Center! At 26 years old, Shayla is Retton's eldest daughter. If it weren't already a known fact, it would be hard to tell Retton is a mother of four! Its a 9.95 to end her illustrious career, the caption read. Registered gymnasts will receive a custom GK leotard. Shayla was on her college's acrobatics and tumbling team. "Back in my day, I was kind of on the cutting edge," Retton said in an interview before Rio. May 24, 2016, 8:55 AM. View this post on Instagram #grateful A post. In her senior year, she scored a 9.8875 in the vault competition at the NCAA Team Finals. A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) Emma, who is the baby of the family at age 19, recently finished her freshman year on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas. HOUCHRON CAPTION (07/31/2001): Mary Lou Retton talks to actress Alicia Church, who plays "Jumpy," on the set of "Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop" at KUHT studios. #allthefeels #lsugym @mckennamckelley @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DbmbuWFazK, Alison Stevens (@AlisonMichele93) April 21, 2019. ! she described, adding, We are the loudest and most obnoxious parents [sic] section in the USA!! Columbia College is not Columbia University! Retton's routine on the uneven bars included a move that came to be called "The Retton Flip." Mary Lou Retton wrote "Gateways to Happiness" to share her philosophy about success and life. 403 N 3rd St, Richmond , VA 23219. Mary Lou Retton a member of the 1984 Olympic gymnastics team won five medals in LA. For some fans in attendance, watching Kelley's mom cheer on her performance brought back heartwarming memories of those Olympic games. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. Former gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton was at the Rhode Island Convention Center hosting a gymnastics meet. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. "It's not like today, when you get the results before they appear on television. [27] She was the first female athlete to be pictured on the front of a Wheaties box, and General Mills stated that Wheaties sales improved after her appearance. This year, Kelley is a senior. Agreeing with her daughters remarks, Retton, 51, said that although she enrolled all of her four daughters in gymnastics classes, she didnt put pressure on them., I put my four daughters into a sport that I love. Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. RELATED: Gymnast Carly Patterson Won Olympic Gold 17 Years Ago. Ever. This is a carousel. However, Skyla did do gymnastics as a child, starting at the age of three. I really have done a full turnaround.. Generations of gymnasts later, her body type and style are the sport's gold standard, embodied by the 4-feet-8 Biles, already the three-time defending world all-around champion heading into the Rio Olympics. RETTON AND SKYLAS RESEMBLANCE DID NOT GO UNNOTICED. 1995), McKenna (b. Emma's graduation is one that Rettons fans will look forward to, but for now, they have Skylas to ooh and aah over. Gymnast Carly Patterson Won Olympic Gold 17 Years Ago. Gosh it brings it all back!!! "Her voice is so distinct, and I can always hear it in the crowd," she told ESPN. The image was posted to commemorate the latter's milestone leaving high-school. LSU finished second at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, its fourth second-place finish since 2014, behind champions Oklahoma and ahead of third-place finishers UCLA. Throughout the process, Retton felt alone, but she had the support of the couple's four daughters: Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, 16. That was a big part of my struggle the last few years do I do it? 9 of 24 10 of 24 In the backyard play area Mary Lou with her four daughters Shayla,9 McKenna,7 Skyla,4 and Emma,2 Mary Lou Retton a member of the 1984 Olympic gymnastics team won five metals in LA . Im pretty beat up, she says. 66.9k Followers, 1,325 Following, 744 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) marylouretton. Though Retton missed the World Gymnastics Championships in 1983 due to a wrist injury, she won the American Classic in 1983 and 1984, as well as Japan's Chunichi Cup in 1983. "My role is to love them no matter what, have that shoulder for them to cry on if they're hurt or frustrated," she explained to Parade. Wherever she ends up next year, shes sure to dazzle. It's a small town in a big city and such a sports town where everybody supports each other.". The tour benefits The McKenna Kelly Foundation, which donates to non-profits focusing on mental health. Now, she says, shes ready for a new chapter. See Her Now. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); 2002). She and her wife, Molly, are the proud moms of two formerly stray cats, Sophie and Pierre, and a rescue dog named Gracie. But 30 years ago, the equipment we worked on wasn't so forgiving. View this. Ronnie and Lois Retton are her parents. Ice Skating Stars of the '90s and '00s: Where Are They Now? That's all she is.". See Her Now. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "Honestly, I don't really give advice or get involved unless asked," she explained. She also competed in multiple club gymnastics competitions when she was in high school. You know, all the things that come with a divorce of that magnitude with such a large family. I dont think another year of gymnastics could give me anything I needed more, she said, adding that her team at LSU has been so special and she wants to finish her college journey with them. It really is home. Im really excited for what this new chapter is going to bring instead of being that scared person that I was a couple of months ago. See Her Now. Just days after scoring a near-perfect 10 on her floor routine at the NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championship, Kelley, 22, and her mother appeared on the Today show to open up about their relationship. Subscribe to @olympics: http://oly.ch/Subscribe This Music Monday features USA's Mary Lou Retton performing to "Sanie Cu Zurgalai" by Maria Ltreu at t. The tour, which will start this November, is open to gymnasts from the beginner competitive level through the junior level. Mary Lou Retton's daughter nailed her routine at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships She almost got a perfect score! Associate Editor, Human Interest - PEOPLE. She'll be starting her junior year this fall and is in the Alpha Phi sorority. Shayla didn't continue tumbling after college, however. In the backyard play area Mary Lou with her four daughters Shayla,9 McKenna,7 Skyla,4 and Emma,2 Mary Lou Retton a member of the 1984 Olympic gymnastics team won five metals in LA. At the same Olympics, Retton won four additional medals: silver in the team competition and the horse vault, and bronze in the floor exercise and uneven bars. Though Retton admits shes a pretty private person, she decided to share the news about her divorce in such a public manner so that she could be transparent about everything she had been going through. McKenna and her mom co-host the women's gymnastics tour, "For Mothers and Daughters Forever Our Legacy." The tiny powerhouse, who was dubbed "America's sweetheart" at the time, left Los Angeles with two additional silver medals and two bronzes the most won by any athlete during that summer's games, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union and the East bloc. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg, This is what Houston looks like from space, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Oops! See Her Now. ** FILE ** Mary Lou Retton is shown during her perfect performance in the floor exercise in the Olympic individual all-around finals of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif., in this Aug. 3, 1984 photo. Back when I competed, it was the pretty little butterflies, which I was not. 66.9K followers. Kelley didn't pursue elite gymnastics until she was 17 the same age Retton was when she retired from the sport, just one year after her history-making victory at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Retton won the gold medal in the event. On Saturday, April 20, LSU finished second at the NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships. Retton is executive producer and star of the show, a series for under-6 set. Were a gymnastics family, she shared. The former Olympic gymnast is executive producer and star of the show, a series for children ages 6 and under. She was also on the school's acrobatics and tumbling team for all four years. Retton, 51, looked proud as could be of her daughter as she watched her perform in video captured from the Texas event. Advertisement Retton was every bit the proud mama when she decided to share a picture of herself and her beautiful daughter. [18], In 1985, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member General Chuck Yeager. HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/19/2004): Retton and her husband live in Houston, far removed from the time when she captured the heart of a nation and graced the cover of the Wheaties box. To me shes just mom, Kelley, a senior at Louisiana State University shared, adding that after making the decision to pursue gymnastics, she never felt pushed to succeed by her mother. See Her Now. As for Kelley, she seemed tickled by her mom's pride. : Mary Lou Retton Photos & Info, List of competitive results at Gymn Forum, Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics Women's All-Around, Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, United States women's national soccer team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Lou_Retton&oldid=1142782427, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Olympic silver medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Originators of elements in artistic gymnastics, Sportspeople from Fairmont, West Virginia, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, FIG template using Wikidata property P7440, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 10:13. Retton won two international events in 1983 and entered the Olympic year, with the Soviets boycotting the Games in Los Angeles, picked to win the all-around silver medal behind Ecaterina Szabo of Romania. xhr.send(payload); ( Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle ), Mary Lou Retton and her daughter McKenna Kelley, 11, celebrate with Chellsie Memmel after she was announced as member of the 2008 Olympic team on the final day of the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp at Women's National Team Training Center, Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. She shared on the show that she had gotten divorced from husband Shannon Kelley, whom she married in 1990. When she was 18, Retton retired from professional gymnastics because she "wanted to be remembered as a winner" and not as "some struggling older athlete," per NBC Sports. Her university profile notes that, as a junior, Shayla qualified in three events at the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association's Individual Championships and won one. The retired Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast revealed her split from her husband of 27 years publicly for the first time on Monday nights episode of Dancing with the Stars before being eliminated. 2022 Galvanized Media. This wasn't her only win at the games; she also won silver in the team and vault competitions, along with bronze medals in uneven bar and floor exercise. } "Very seldom, they'll come home and be having a problem on a skill or something and say, 'Mom, I'm having trouble, will you comment or what do you think. Mary Lou Retton (born January 24, 1968) is an American retired gymnast. Kelley also retweeted this video of her emotional reaction at the end of her performance. She had gone away and I knew she was in there that strong, powerful, confident woman and I found her.. Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton and her daughter, McKenna Kelley, brought their gymnastics invitational to Rhode Island.Retton brings name recognition and st. Simone Biles has won more world championships, Nastia Liukin has as many Olympic medals and Shannon Miller has more world and Olympic medals combined. She did rack up some impressive scores on the mat in high school, however.