You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost.

Retton's hometown of Fairmont West Virginia named a road and park in the town after her. Nevertheless Retton won the American Classic in 1983 and 1984 as well as Japan's Chunichi Cup in 1983. Retton won the all-around gold medal by 0.

She was the first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the Olympic gold medal in the Gymnastic Individual All-around competition. Mary Lou Retton (born January 24 1968) is an American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist.