Creating an olympic champion, and mary lou rettons gateways to happiness. When your mom is olympic gymnastics superstar mary lou retton and you take up her sport, there are bound to be certain expectations. Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the united states. The booking agents at athletespeakers work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports celebrity. Her olympic gold medalwinning vault became a defining moment in sports and the beginning of a career that would transcend gymnastics. Includes beautiful illustrations, anecdotes from her personal life and career highlights. This book is written from the perspective of both bela karolyi and mary lou retton. Mary lou retton foreword of courage to soar goodreads. From bela we are told how he started in gymnstics coaching, his coaching of nadia and his move to america. Mary lou retton catapulted into our lives in the 1984 olympics. See all books authored by mary lou retton, including mary lou. In sullivans book he expressed, mary lou is a little.
Get in touch with mary lous team about appearing at your next event. Mary lou retton born january 24, 1968 is a retired american gymnast. The historic achievements of romanian prodigy nadia comaneci at the 1976 olympic games in montreal did not go unnoticed in fairmont, west virginia usa, home town of marylou retton. The biography shifts between mary lou and he coach, bela karolyi as they tell their side of the story. Signed and inscribed by mary lou retton on the free endpaper. Creating an olympic champion 9780070518940 by retton, mary lou and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Karolyi was enamored with rettons innate ability in gymnastics and could see the energy within her.
Barbara bush besides her incredible talent, mary lou retton is one of the most caring and compassionate people i have ever. Mckenna kelley, daughter of mary lou retton, blazes her. Mary lou retton books list of books by author mary. Americas sweetheart tells the inspirational life story of the most celebrated gymnast in united. She hailed from italian ancestry, and her original family surname was rotunda. The first american female gymnast to win an olympic gold medal, mary lou retton was born on january 24, 1968, in fairmont, west virginia, united states of america. She was the sports illustrated sportswoman of the year in 1984, the first gymnast and the youngest inductee into the olympic hall of fame, and the first woman to appear on the wheaties box. Gary poole a biography of the sixteenyearold athlete whose performance at the 1984 olympics made her the first american woman to win a. Born on 24 january 1968, retton was inspired by her east european idol, and set her mind on becoming a gymnastics champion. Each tells their own story, alternating between each, starting before they met each other up until mary lou wins the allaround title in 1984.
Also in the book excerpt, 1984 olympic allaround champion mary lou retton describes the first time she met biles, handing her a gold medal at the 2009 mary lou retton invitational. Mary lou retton, who somersaulted and backflipped her way to an olympic gold medal, married her longtime beau, shannon kelley, a former college football player, in houston on saturday. She began her career appearing in the original production of the musical grease in 1971, before making her screen debut in the 1977 comedydrama film between the lines in 1977, henner was cast in her breakthrough role as elaine oconnor nardo in the abcnbc sitcom taxi, a role. Retton was very muscular, a change from the petit, smaller gymnasts fans were used to seeing catapulting off the balance beam. Mary lou retton was 4 feet, 9 inches of muscle and grit, claiming the 84 games as her own mary lou retton was the first american woman to win an olympic gold medal in. Today this gold medal champion continues to inspire millions worldwide with her winning approach to life. Appearances endorsements contact privacy policy site map. Join facebook to connect with mary lou retton and others you may know.
Mary lou retton, a gold medalist in gymnastics at the 1984 olympics, brings her boundless energy and physical talent to a young audience in the valuesbased. Mary lou retton shared details about her divorce, moving. Creating an olympic champion is a biography by olympic champion mary lou retton. Mary lou retton catapulted to fame in 1984 by becoming the first american woman ever to win a gold medal in gymnastics.
Mary lou retton biography, life, interesting facts. Mary lou retton, who is six months pregnant with her third child, shared her. Recounts the professional life of sixteenyearold mary lou retton, who won five medals in the 1984 olympics. Mary lou retton reveals she got divorced on dwts gold medal winning gymnast, mary lou retton, announced in a rehearsal segment for dwts that. She was the first female gymnast from outside eastern europe to win the olympic allaround title. Mary lou retton dominated the 84 olympics with a smile. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Recounts the professional life of sixteenyearold mary lou retton, who wo. Mary lou rettons gateways to happiness chatfield public.
All about lou it was 1984 when mary lou retton vaulted onto the olympic scene and made a perfect landing in our hearts. Mary lou rettons gateways to happiness by mary lou retton. Mary lou retton burst onto the gymnastic front with all the vivaciousness she could muster, and in doing so, took the world by storm. Mary lou retton books list of books by author mary lou. She changed the way people thought of a gymnast, not having the typical physique for. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Hd mary lou and sasha dancing with the stars premiere night 2 week 1 redemption cha cha duration. Also in the book excerpt, 1984 olympic allaround champion mary lou retton describes the first time she met biles, handing her a gold medal at the 2009 mary. Creating an olympic champion by retton, mary lou and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Americas sweetheart tells the inspirational life story of the most celebrated gymnast in united states history. Discover how a young girl from west virginia achieved her dream of winning gymnastics allaround title at the 1984 olympics. Rosemary g washington follows the training and career of mary lou retton, the first american woman gymnast to win a gold medal in the olympics. Olympic athlete and professional speaker, mary lou retton, writes about her gateways to happiness.
Mary lou retton a book for young readers, mary lou retton. In her new book gateways to happiness she shares her proven secrets for success. Mary lou retton speaking fee and booking agent contact. Mary lou retton is an american gymnast who trained with romanian coach bela karolyi and won the american cup and the u. Without a doubt, mary lou retton should be added to the list of famous, influential females after all, retton was the first american woman to win a. She was the first female gymnast from outside eastern europe to win the olympic allaround title mary lou retto.
On august 3, 1984, at the age of 16, mary lou retton became americas sweetheart, one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Her gold medal was a historic win because retton was the firstever american. Mary lou retton is excited for a new chapter but scared to date again after secret divorce the retired olympic goldmedalwinning gymnast. This wonderful, bright, and caring woman is truly a shining point of light. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Mary lou retton won five gymnastics medals at the 1984 summer olympics and became the first american female to win gold in the individual allaround competition. Mary lou retton, gymnast who was the first american woman to win an individual olympic gold medal in gymnastics. Mary lucy denise henner born april 6, 1952 is an american actress, producer, radio host, podcaster, and author.