Mary Lou Retton Comes Back From Injury To Win Gold - Los Angeles 1984 Olympics

[@rosieeye6812]

I remember me and my mom in the living room when mlr stuck that landing. I still to this day cry about it. We were so proud of her and the USA. Its so sad what we've become.

[@mountaingirl3437]

You just don't see floor work like that anymore!! You are truly one of a kind Mary Lou!!

[@maddieiscool5588]

I met her the other day at my competition, she was very sweet and nice .

[@emilyvickery8081]

Mary Lou's routines - particularly the floor - were jam packed. Could always watch her perform routines. Favourite all time American gymnast.

[@unitedwestand5100]

She was without a doubt America's greatest woman gymnast. And. She did it when the Judging was still fair.

[@michellelosch9928]

The judging at this point was completely pre- decided and unfair. There was a huge scandal on how the soviet block judges would meet before hand and decide who would win what.

[@tumicduguar2583]

@@michellelosch9928 Wouldn't that logic though just mean it was even harder for Retton (an American), making her achievements even more impressive? Not saying I see it that way, just going by the logic of what you stated.

[@michellelosch9928]

@@tumicduguar2583 Mary Lou was and is great....however remember that the judges and gymnasts from all soviet countries except Romania boycotted so the judges who were involved in the practice just were not involved at all. The Judges never liked her power BUT she did change gymnastics some feel in a negative but most agree to the positive. She was the beginning of power over grace. (Although I’m not sure why people don’t see they have both)

[@jamj4u]

There was a lot more artistry in gymnastics back then.

[@bo0tsy1]

Well, hard to floor routine to Crank Dat.

[@vitoriapureza7018]

I agree.

[@emilyvickery8081]

yes.. today it seems to be more about meeting a criteria with minimal elements.. if that's possible. it seems to be viewed more as "job at task" rather than pure enjoyment of the sport.

[@HerbClair]

@@bo0tsy1 Tell us it's about race without telling us it's about race. How many routines do you have to Sweet Caroline, Kevin?

[@tudormiller887]

Unlike in this Paris Olympics, it's another 'Simone Biles Show fest'

[@lindaeasley5606]

MLR literally became an overnight superstar.Not only did she win gold medals , but after the Olympics she did celebrity endorsements and a lot of public appearances which I don't fault her for .As an Olympic athlete your career is brief so you might as well make money while you can

[@jacksonvreal_904]

Saw her on a Baywatch re-run recently!!

[@melaniebrooks7121]

best female gymnast ever

[@smarticle37]

That was amazing

[@bevyg5635]

There is so much, artistry, ballet, dance and amazing acrobatics in today’s gymnastics. Thanks to yesterday’s gymnasts, AND the gymnasts that came before them, today’s premier gymnasts can set records!

[@nushka1111]

Artistry and ballet Today?? Who are you selling to? No, that's gone. That's diminished.

[@tonip.3251]

She is amazing!

[@Jen-lc5yc]

This is when the Floor Exercise mats didn't have huge* coils underneath them to help spring the athlete up.

[@Kidd23Kidds]

I don’t think it has as much to do with helping them as it does to protect them from spinal injuries, among others, because they do it so much every day when training starts and some do it for years. It’s not worth looking spectacular at sticking the landing so brilliantly anymore, as it is to protect their already bruised and banged bodies.

[@jacksonvreal_904]

And she was still landing double back flips. She's insane!!!

[@denisek292]

@@Kidd23Kidds Unfortunately, a lot of gymnasts, and cheerleaders, too, are injuring their spine, leading to back surgeries. My former PT was seeing an uptick in these painful, lifelong injuries.

[@nettiegurl]

She was a GODDESS on the matt

[@letsdothis3332]

I personally think the " acro" era is gone. It's all about combinations. I miss the old hack handspring thru to three layouts days. When a gymnast can win a gold just for spinning like a top on the beam it's over. I know I know I know it's difficult to spin on one foot on the beam so don't even start. I just miss the tumbling on the beam like Dawes, Phelps, Tatiana Lysenko and Miller

[@tudormiller887]

Wow! I can't believe I actually forgot just how great Mary Lou Retton was compared to the east European gymnasts of that era like Elena Shushunova. ❤

[@Stonymypony]

You are correct. I thought she was a world champion at some point but you are correct. I looked it up and she got bronze at the 1983 world championships. I still believe though that Mary Lou should be considered the first America AA olympic champion. She inspired so many young girls and she still beat some amazing gymnasts.

[@raggedtiger1974]

Where are you getting your information from? She did not compete at the 1983 World Championships.

[@vincespiteri1805]

she is awsome

[@ginafarrell3229]

You mean HE is awesome! Has ALL the male physical traits!

[@Jen-lc5yc]

@@ginafarrell3229 she and her now ex- husband have a biological daughter who is a collegiate gymnast. I'm a nurse. She does not have male traits .

[@farrahupson]

Mary Lou had more artistry, extension, and flexibility than I remember her for. It's too bad that she and the other 1984 (and 1980) olympians got cheated out of performing against the world's best in those years. She would have been great.

[@muliczakatalin8247]

With all respect for her talent and performance, in LA Eastern Europe was not represented...

[@Ever_Rain]

I❤her my all time gymnasts

[@alexmiller770]

These are just compulsory routines, she won the all around gold another day.

[@mmoran3]

They counted 50%

[@victabulousfurtado1184]

I don't watch the Olympics, and I care nothing about it. However, I remember watching MLR when I was younger (we're about the same age) and I was just mesmerized by her. I had such a huge crush on her. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I was so in love with her.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

Mary Lou Retton is the direct athletic ancestor of Simone Biles. Retton was the first "pure power" gymnast. Biles is the greatest "pure power" gymnast.

[@helenvancougat3770]

They both suc k compared to the artistry oif the Eastern Bloc.

[@patpat446]

I think Shushunova was the first power gymnast as she could rock all 4 events with top difficulty.

[@vigo894]

The Easter Block no longer exists. Greed and corruption killed it.

[@turnthepage867]

Absolutely right! Retton and Biles are like Serena Williams and Steffi Graf. I attended the 1984 U.S. Championships in Chicago. Retton was electrifying. Retton tumbles faster than any other gymnasts. Biles punches higher and has more difficulty than any other.

[@Jen-lc5yc]

@@patpat446 TRUTH!

[@LISZTIZATION]

WOW INDEED !!! THE BEST FOOTAGE I'VE EVER SEEN OF OUR PERFECT MARY LOU.......PROVING FILM HOLDS UP SO MUCH BETTER THAN VIDEO, VERY HIGH QUALITY FILM OF THE GREAT CHAMPION - THANKS SOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR SHARING !!! LOVE THE SLO-MO AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED FROM MY OWN VIDEOS, BUT THE MUSIC IS LAME, YOU SHOULD HAVE USED CLASSIC MUSIC FOR SUCH A CLASSIC SUBJECT AS MARY LOU.......... BUT THANKS AGAIN !!!

[@faeryquene]

True, although the Soviets were not all Russians. Also, the great East Germans were missing too as well as the rest of the East bloc with the exception of Romania and the communist Chinese.

[@lisacs83]

It's incredible how high the standard is today compared to 30 years ago. I went to the team finals in London last year, and the gymnasts are super-human. Still, lovely routines by ML Rettin!

[@leoandre7542]

Mary Lou Retton Still Have A Crush on You GET WELL SOON

[@vanesaablueyes]

No the reigning world all around champion was Natalia Yurchenko from the Soviet Union and they were also team champions.

[@TheFlowMind]

Not like now but incredibly nice to see....she's so grafull...

[@babblesp1367]

It’s amazing how gymnastics has changed over the years. Oddly, that looks easy compared to stuff some of these girls do not now, even though none of it is easy.

[@tulip5677]

The floor routine looks like a compulsory routine; back in the day, there were compulsory routines that all gymnasts had to perform identically in addition to the optional routines that were unique to each gymnast. Also, the gymnastics floor that they tumbled on didn't have much spring in it back then compared to now. The gymnasts had to have a whole lot of leg power and technique to reach a given height off the ground

[@MrHendrix1959]

the most ridiculous thing i remember in the 1984 olympics was the final of the boxing heavyweight final. the italian outboxed the american all the way and lost! the american couldnt believe he had won!

[@Stonymypony]

The soviets may not have been there but what makes her win so incredible is that she beat the reigning world champion from Romania. When you think about it she beat someone who had beaten the soviets less than a year before this.

[@shushunovafan4301]

Yurchenko was the reigning world champion, not Szabo.

[@tumicduguar2583]

@@shushunovafan4301 Yes and it is lied in many documentaries Szabo was the reigning World Champion. Retton and Bela even say it repeatedly, LOL! Well technically she was the reigning World Champion on floor but you know that is not what they mean. More example of how Retton is build up further by flat out lies repeated as truths.

[@idolwatcher0]

I see you Tim Daggett! 0:09 - 0:24

[@hazelnutspred3348]

@@211jump too bad

[@nikkishaewonstan]

if the soviet were there on the 1984 olympics, Carly Patterson would be the first american all-around I think... just my opinion

[@dkasper3267]

84 had springs in the floor. Still very nice presentation.

[@faeryquene]

Soviets. Not all the gymnasts on the squad were Russian. But I agree.

[@JohnSmith-qd1zl]

Faeryquene, I could say that about the swimming results as well in Moscow. The Americans would have had swimmers like Tracy Caulkins winning gold medals across the board. The men in the previous Olympics in Montreal dominated and they could have easily done the same in Moscow.

[@nushka1111]

Unacceptable----that US gymnastics today doesn't give This. Artistry.

[@faeryquene]

Nonsense. You can't compare scores from a competition that occurred 4 years previous. The Soviet Union's Mostepanova who won the Alternate Games in 1984 with a perfect 40.00, the 1983 World Champion Natalia Yurchenko and the rest of the squad which included Yelena Shushunova were missing. All 3 of those women would have outscored Retton by a comfortable margin in compulsories alone. They'll always be an asterisk next to Rettons AA gold because the Soviets and East Germans were missing.

[@metsdudenj]

Retton could’ve held her own against gnauck and shushunova

[@erincampbell1955]

I’ll say gymnastic has gotten way more complicated, 3 handsprings in a row now won’t even get out of state competition but I get for back then she was amazing! Ppl fit into their time periods!

[@tulip5677]

This floor routine was probably a compulsory routine in which all gymnasts were required the same skills. Her optional floor routines had double layout flips and full twisting double back flips in them

[@sergioaurelio5703]

that year the champion was ekaterina tszabo from Romania Mary Loya won because she was the local from the usa

[@tlome8033]

Didn't Tszabo fall on the uneven bars?

[@nathalieng8079]

I want to be able to see the beam too lol

[@michellevenegas6765]

Ecaterina Szabo the best!!! The real queen!!! 4 golf medals!!!

[@janeventrella1419]

Not to take away her accomplishments but her tumbling is what 10 year olds do now. I’m sure she would agree. Women’s gymnastics came a long way.

[@emilyvickery8081]

Possibly, but I find it thoroughly enjoyable, still very entertaining to watch. Today's routines are becoming same ol same ol'. They are still even doing the same routine they did 1 or 2 yrs ago.. or very close to it.

[@schmaltzythegolem4828]

MLR never needed a mental health day.

[@nikkishaewonstan]

if the russian were there, mary lou would not be in the american gymnastic history.... carly patterson would be the first

[@kawaiikoolaid4082]

You mean Shannon Miller.

[@yuiop6611]

@@kawaiikoolaid4082. Who was robbed in ‘92.

[@kristenmyers49345]

WOW. The sport of gymnastics has changed pretty dramatically - based on the video here.

[@elenacallegari2933]

there's nothing artistic in nowadays gymnastics, just showing off power and muscles. it used to be beautiful to watch, it required agility, flexibility and rythm, just like a dance. now we get neckless girls in the shape of a cube with schwarzenegger muscles with little to no balance and as flexible as a wood log. it doesn't matter if they win a gold medal, what they're giving us isn't gymnastics animore. only very few chinese gilrs still got a decently shaped body, but there are still issues regarding their real age and their questionable training daily routines. i wish adjudicators would revert this sport to what it was when olga korbut was around

[@TV1Totoya]

These videos doesn't have original audio? Come On!

[@edouardb4134]

olga korbut the best !

[@Aizhaqueeni]

LMAOOO @ comments concerning Russians not being there and excuses for Romania. Pitifully transparent guys, really.

[@lorettathomas1478]

Mary lou song by ccr

[@singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140]

Great for back then. The skillsb thes these days are more difficult.

[@jenfrieman2363]

These are compulsory routines. They always have less difficulty.

[@thangvuong9196]

Don't really respect a person that became a puppet for USA gymnastics when they tried to deny any responsibility for what happened to all those girls.

[@rondaperry7243]

The gold was great, but the girl was only 14. Had she injured herself permanently, the country would've thought how great the sacrifice. Then when the new hot thing came along she would have been forgotten. Wonder if anybody knows or cares what she is doing with her life.

[@Dave-co1cv]

She was 16....

[@michellecespedesdiaz5814]

perfecta

[@JoaoAlvez87]

Sqn

[@elamantebilingue]

The Americans wanted an Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci of their own so badly, and got one through home field advantage, Bela Karolyi's media antics and generous scores for the American gymnasts. Ecaterina Szabo from Romania was the true Olympic champion. She erred here and there, but overall was more captivating, dynamic and elegant. MLR was athletic, but lacked sophistication and good form, especially during compulsory exercises.

[@alexkaydalov7591]

Szabó, elegant.. Pick one. She was so athletic like Retton. She just had a lot of difficulty but like mediocre execution, she got high scores that clearly she didn't deserved. Her FX choreo is so average for those years random arms movements.... I don't like Retton but She won because she did good routines. I think Pauca for most elegant than both...

[@mariereed8534]

Check it out she won she was awesome with her crooked smile. America's sweetheart don't pick it apart.

[@Samadhigame]

Simone Biles cry’s if someone looks at her wrong

[@angelita9572]

Difficulty in tumbling has come a long way...

[@marwahussein666]

And she make part of this. She literally did a double layout

[@syntaxghost3547]

@Simone Biles

[@ginafarrell3229]

Mary Lou is without a doubt a man! Not fair that he is in competition against women!

[@sahpire75]

Evidently not she has 4 kids, what a dumb comment

[@NateM-w1r]

Simone Biles' ☢️lympic meltdown 🤡🤡🤡🤡💩💩💩💩🤡🤡🤡🤡✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️ GenX gave us greats Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug who faught through real injuries and hardships to win Gold! The entire 92 team won the team title.

[@nicholeleekolovanigruber2678]

Xoxo 💋 K

[@daisieb7547]

Bouncyfloor. Ugh.

[@MrAlex03061996]

It's only because of USSR boycot

[@sahpire75]

Doesn't really matter. She won

[@tuting1965]

Boring to watch lack of difficult routine unlike now gymnast doing lots difficult routines

[@Calamity153]

First

[@annep.1905]

The music the channel picked is obnoxious.

[@etheldingleberry8075]

A beam routine without showing the beam. Thanks?