Mary Lou Retton is a gymnastics icon. She is renowned for her historic achievement as the first American woman to win Olympics all-around gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. However, recent news has cast a shadow on this legendary figure. Mary Lou’s daughter, Mckenna Kelley, shared an update revealing that her mother is battling “a very rare form of pneumonia” in the Intensive Care Unit, fighting for her life.

Mckenna expressed the need to maintain her mother’s privacy, stating that not all details would be disclosed. Still, she reached out to fans and the community for help, saying, “1) You pray! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.” This request garnered immense attention, rallying the gymnastics community, with even USA Gymnastics sharing the Spotfund page link. And just a day later, a hopeful note has emerged from her daughter, rekindling hope for fans.

Former gymnastics team-mate shares a heartfelt message

According to People, her former teammate Michelle Dusserre Farrell shared her support, saying, “Our team has had a sister-like bond that has been in place for almost four decades, and we know firsthand how strong she is.” Michelle Dusserre Farrell also competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics alongside Mary Lou Retton.

The team, which consisted of Mary Lou, Michelle Dusserre, Julianne McNamara, Kathy Johnson, Tracee Talavera, and Pam Bileck, had won the silver in the team competition. Several days after Mary Lou Retton’s health update rallied the sports community, another update has emerged from her family.

An update given by her daughter

Shayla, who is Mary Lou Retton’s eldest daughter with her ex-husband Shannon Kelley, thanked fans for the outpouring of their love and support during the tough time the family was going through. She gave fans hope, saying, “She’s been treated by the best of the best professionals here, and it has been such a blessing to have their hands on her, so please continue the prayers.”

She also mentioned how the road was long and it is a daily process but urged privacy to maintain boundaries.  By Wednesday night, donations from almost 5,500 people had helped Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley’s Spotfund page surpass its $50,000 fundraising goal and raise over $300,000. Even more stars from the sports community joined hands to support the icon.

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Nadia Comăneci, the five-time gold medal-winning Romanian gymnast, and Retton’s teammate in 1984, Kathy Johnson Clarke another team-mate, also expressed their thoughts and prayers for their former teammate and friend, Mary Lou Retton. The sports world hopes she recovers soon.

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