Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton speaks out for 1st time after DUI arrest
Olympic gymnastics icon Mary Lou Retton is breaking her silence following her DUI arrest in West Virginia last month.
In a statement to ABC News on Tuesday, the 57-year-old said, "I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses."
Retton went on to express deep regret and a commitment to growth.
"To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry," she said in the statement. "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," she added.
Retton was stopped in Marion County, West Virginia, on May 17 and charged with one misdemeanor count of "driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs," according to online court records at the time.
She was released later that day after posting a $1,500 bond.
On Tuesday, her attorney Edmund J. Rollo also issued a statement to ABC News confirming that Retton pleaded no contest to a non-aggravated DUI charge and accepted full responsibility without seeking any special treatment.
"Mary Lou Retton appeared in court this afternoon and entered a no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge stemming from a recent incident," the statement read. "Mary Lou accepted full responsibility for her actions and received a standard $100 fine – consistent with sentencing guidelines for first-time, non-aggravated offenses in this jurisdiction."
"In keeping with her values, Mary Lou made no request for special treatment and was subject to the same legal process as any other individual. She is grateful for the professionalism of law enforcement and the court system, and she fully respects the outcome," the statement continued. "Mary Lou has expressed a sincere desire to use this experience as a moment for reflection and accountability. She asks for privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life."
In October 2023, Retton survived what she would later describe as a life-threatening battle with pneumonia, which required nearly two weeks in the intensive care unit.
Retton has remained an iconic figure in American sports history. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she became the first American woman to win the individual all-around gold medal in gymnastics, earning a series of perfect 10s.
She also took home two silver medals and two bronze medals, making her the most decorated athlete of those Games, according to her official Olympics biography.
In 1997, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and in 2018, she appeared on season 27 of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
