Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Olympic champion gymnast Mary Lou Retton remains in intensive care as donations pour in
FILE- Mary Lou Retton reacts to applause after her performance at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles on Aug. 3, 1984. Retton. 55, is in intensive care in a Texas hospital fighting a rare form of pneumonia, according to her daughter McKenna Kelley. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis, File)
Latest News
October 11, 2023

Olympic champion gymnast Mary Lou Retton remains in intensive care as donations pour in

(AP)— Olympic gymnastics champion Mary Lou Retton remained in intensive care on Wednesday while dealing with a rare form of pneumonia.

Retton’s daughters posted a message on Instagram saying their mother “continues to fight” and thanked the thousands who have donated money to help take care of Retton’s medical bills.

Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, the oldest of Retton’s four daughters, said in a video update on Instagram that the family was “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support for Retton, 55.

“We didn’t even realise that there are so many people out there that love her just as much as we do,” Schrepfer said. “And it’s been a really hard time for our family. And so just seeing that people love her like that and showing her that support has just meant the world to us and to her, so thank you.”

Nearly 5,000 people had donated over $275,000 in the 24 hours since her family launched an online fundraiser on Tuesday. The family said Retton does not have medical insurance and indicated they were asking for donations — with an initial goal of $50,000 — to help pay for Retton’s care.

Schrepfer declined to get into specifics about Retton’s situation, saying only that it’s “going to be a day-to-day process.”

Retton was 16 years old when the Fairmont, West Virginia, native made history at the Los Angeles Olympics, scoring perfect 10s on floor exercise and vault in the final two rotations to become the first American woman to win the Olympic all-around title.

She ended the Olympics with five medals — two silvers and two bronzes to go with the all-around gold — and became a pop culture sensation while earning the nickname “America’s Sweetheart.” Her Olympic success made her the first female athlete to appear on the cover of a Wheaties box.

Retton retired from competition in 1986. Her newfound fame made her a household name in the US She made several film and television appearances, including a stint on “Dancing with the Stars.”

She and her husband, Shannon Kelley, divorced in 2018.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Cavalier beat Mt Pleasant in penalties to defend JPL title
Latest News, Sports
Cavalier beat Mt Pleasant in penalties to defend JPL title
May 23, 2025
Cavalier SC defended their Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League title on Friday, beating Mount Pleasant Football Academy 6-5 on penalties at the Natio...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer", "breaking-news":"Push Notifications"}
Latest News, News
JLP caretaker Frith leads Labour Day projects in St Andrew SE
May 23, 2025
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for St Andrew South Eastern, Kevin Frith on Labour Day spearheaded a number of community development projects whi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Burning Spear’s ‘Marcus Garvey’ to be revisited at Calabash for 50th anniversary
Entertainment, Latest News
Burning Spear’s ‘Marcus Garvey’ to be revisited at Calabash for 50th anniversary
Howard Campbell 
May 23, 2025
One of the great statement albums in pop music, Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear turns 50 this year. To mark its golden anniversary, organisers of the C...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Arnett beat Montego Bay 4-2 to claim third place in JPL
Latest News, Sports
Arnett beat Montego Bay 4-2 to claim third place in JPL
May 23, 2025
Shai Smith and Fabian Reid both scored second half braces as Arnett Gardens beat 10-man Montego Bay United 4-2 in the third place play-off of the Jama...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer", "breaking-news":"Push Notifications"}
CHASE Fund leads joint effort to equip 15 schools with digital equipment on Labour Day
Latest News, News
CHASE Fund leads joint effort to equip 15 schools with digital equipment on Labour Day
May 23, 2025
Government agencies CHASE Fund, National Education Trust (NET) and e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited are collaborating to install essential digital r...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Creativity and authenticity needed to push dancehall global, says Jah Teff
Entertainment, Latest News
Creativity and authenticity needed to push dancehall global, says Jah Teff
KEVIN JACKSON, Observer writer 
May 23, 2025
Dancehall artiste Jah Teff believes that more creativity and authenticity are needed if dancehall is to reclaim its rightful place on the global music...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Pantason unleashes new music projects
Entertainment, Latest News
Pantason unleashes new music projects
May 23, 2025
Music industry insider Pantason is one of the leading dubplate procurement experts in the reggae-dancehall spheres. However, in recent years, he has b...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Seven arrested after two guns seized at Kingston wholesale
Latest News, News
Seven arrested after two guns seized at Kingston wholesale
May 23, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two firearms and several rounds of ammunition were seized by members of the Specialised Operations Branch during an operation on P...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct