TUMBLIN' DICE: America's Sweetheart Mary Lou Retton's fall from grace
Article content
At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, gymnast Mary Lou Retton won the hearts of America — and the world.
Article content
With a beaming, ready-made Pepsodent smile, the 16-year-old pixie's life ahead appeared sprinkled with rainbows and unicorns. But sometimes life doesn't turn out that way, and a tumble can become a plunge.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Cops say the companion in the passenger seat of her Porsche was a screw-top bottle of wine. Witnesses later said she was driving 'all over the roadway,' court documents obtained by WDTV revealed.
Article content
Officers at the scene reported that Retton reeked of booze and was slurring her words.
Article content
The Virginia-born athlete took up gymnastics at the age of 8, inspired by Nadia Comaneci's breathtaking performance at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She then moved to Houston for further, more intense training, and began her remarkable ascent up the ranks of the gymnastics world.
Article content
Retton captured the all-around gold medal at the '84 games, which were boycotted by the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries. On TV, the world fell in love as she notched four additional medals, silver in the team and horse vault and two bronze medals. She was named Sports Illustrated's Sportswoman of the Year. And she got her Wheaties box.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
After retiring from competition in 1986, Retton was sucked into the celebrity-industrial complex. The Republican boosted Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign. She also got down to making serious money. Besides endorsing everything from shampoo, pain relief creams and insurance, she was the first woman on a Wheaties box.
Article content
Pint-sized Retton also made a slew of appearances on TV and the movies, including Knots Landing, Scrooged, Baywatch, and others. In 2018, she appeared on Dancing With the Stars.
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Skateboarding - Jackalope - Virginia Beach: Day 1
Watch the opening day of high-tier skateboarding action at Neptune's Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia presented by Jackalope.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Sudbury's Syla Swords makes history at the Paris Olympics
Syla Swords (basketball) and Cloe Lacasse (soccer) were both named to their respective Olympic teams on Tuesday. Syla Swords, the youngest person to ever represent Canada in basketball at the Olympics, has wrapped up her Games in Paris. Basketball Canada posted these photos of Swords, 18, Olympics making her Olympic debut. Syla Swords cheers Syla Swords, the youngest person to ever represent Canada in basketball at the Olympics, has wrapped up her 2024 Games in Paris. Swords is shown here cheering on her teammates at the games. (Basketball Canada/Facebook) 'Syla was not only the youngest athlete but was also the youngest Olympian competing in basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,' Basketball Canada said. 'Get used to seeing a lot more of the Sudbury, Ont., native.'
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Olympian Syla Swords visits Sudbury school, inspires students
Canadian basketball Olympian Syla Swords returned to her hometown Friday, visiting Alexander Public School to share her journey with students. Syla Swords at Sudbury school Basketball Olympian Syla Swords talks with students at Alexander Public School in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on May 30, 2025. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario) At 18, Swords became the youngest woman ever to represent Canada in basketball at the Olympics, competing with the Senior Women's National Team at the 2024 Paris Games. 'I just think it's so important to give back to the community, especially a town like Sudbury, where it's so small,' Swords said. 'There aren't a lot of opportunities athletic-wise, so just to be able to show the kids that you can do what you want no matter where you're living, no matter where you're from.' Brielle and Audrey Dewar Basketball great Syla Swords' cousins, Brielle and Audrey Dewar, talk with CTV News about her visit to their school on May 30, 2025. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario) The visit came at the request of Swords' cousins, Brielle and Audrey Dewar, who asked her to speak to their class. The school expanded the event to include students in Grades 3 through 8. Christine Chisholm Christine Chisholm, the principal of Alexander Public School in Greater Sudbury, Ont., talks with CTV News about Olypian Syla Swords visit to the school on May 30, 2025. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'The biggest gift we can give our children is to light that spark, to give that sense of pride,' said principal Christine Chisholm. 'She's created such a buzz in the school. They're so excited to meet her. And truly, I think sports really lends itself well to that – setting goals and actionable goals. They're all transferable to anything.' Swords, who plays for the University of Michigan, emphasized the importance of pursuing passion in any field. 'It doesn't matter what realm it's in, whether it's sports, academics, anything like that,' she said. 'It's important to invest yourself in something and find your confidence through that and enjoy your life through that.' Syla Swords talks in Sudbury Basketball Olympian Syla Swords address a gym full of Grade 3-8 students at Alexander Public School in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on May 30, 2025. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario) Currently in her off-season, Swords will join Canada's under-19 team this summer and compete at GLOBL JAM. Looking ahead, she hopes to split her time between playing professionally in Europe and the U.S. while chasing her ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal.
