Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton has publicly addressed her arrest for driving under the influence, describing her actions as 'completely unacceptable'. The 57-year-old, who won five medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, issued a statement to People magazine following her arrest in West Virginia last month.
Retton was taken into custody on 17 May after police observed her vehicle swerving 'all over the roadway'. According to court documents, officers detected an odour of alcohol and found an open bottle of wine in the passenger seat. She failed a field sobriety test and refused both a preliminary breath test and a chemical blood test.
In her statement, Retton said: 'I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses. To my family, friends, and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry.' She added that she is 'determined to learn and grow from this experience' and is 'committed to making positive changes'.
Her attorney, Edmund J. Rollo, requested privacy for Retton as she moves forward. On Tuesday, she appeared in court and entered a no-contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge. She received a $100 fine, standard for a first-time non-aggravated offence in the area, and had earlier posted $1,500 bond.
Retton made history at age 16 by becoming the first American woman to win the all-around Olympic gold in gymnastics. In 2023, she was hospitalised with a rare form of pneumonia and relied on a crowdfunding campaign to cover medical bills, which she said left her 'sobbing' after learning of her family's efforts.
