Legendary Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has pleaded no contest to a charge of driving under the influence after being stopped by police last month in West Virginia.
The 1984 all-around gold medalist took full responsibility for her actions, according to a statement issued by her attorney Edmund J. Rollo.
‘What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses,’ she said. ‘To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry. I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support.’
As a first-time offender, Retton was ordered to pay a $100 fine.
Retton, 57, was stopped in Marion County, West Virginia, on May 17, following a report about a person in a Porsche driving erratically. According to a criminal complaint, when officers pulled her over, she smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test.
Retton was in the news last year when her daughter revealed on social media that the five-time Olympic medalist was ‘fighting for her life’ with ‘a very rare form of pneumonia’ and was not insured.
That led to a flood of donations totaling over $450,000 – but also to questions about basic details of Retton’s illness, whether or not she had health insurance and exactly how the money collected was being spent.
Retton did agree to an interview with NBC’s ‘Today’ show in January 2024, appearing with an oxygen tube in her nose and describing a harrowing, month-long hospital stay, including a moment when ‘they were about to put me on life support,’ she said.
Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, told USA TODAY Sports at that time Retton could not get affordable health care because of pre-existing conditions, stemming from ‘over 30 orthopedic surgeries, including four hip replacements.’
Retton later told NBC in the interview that she was able to get medical insurance.
Retton’s family said that any funds remaining after her medical expenses were paid would be donated to a charity of her choice. But no further information was ever revealed.