Olympic Champion Mary Lou Retton Reportedly in Dire Health

One of the heroes of the 1984 Olympics is reportedly in ICU and has been for more than a week.

Mary Lou Retton, a member of the United States 1984 Gymnastics Team, has fallen very ill with a “rare form” of pneumonia.

Her daughter broke the news to the media this week as the family tries to raise money for her hospital care.

Dire Situation

Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, posted the news on Wednesday about her legendary mother.

She stated, "My sisters Skyla, Shayla, Emma and I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our Mom.”

Americans were clearly feeling generous, as the fundraiser had already raised about $260,000 with a goal of only $50,000.

I was honestly shocked to see that Retton does not have health insurance.

Retton is being treated in Texas for her illness. Kelley continued, "We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.

"ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom."

Retton became America’s sweetheart with her gutty performance in the Olympics and that smile that would light up even the darkest of rooms.

At the Olympic Trials in 1984, she suffered a knee injury, forcing an operation only weeks before the Olympics were to start.

She somehow managed to recover in time to compete, and she ended up having the entire nation, if not the world, behind her.

Retton was in an epic battle with Ecaterina Szabo of Romania for the all-around gold with only two events to go.

She then scored a perfect 10 on the floor exercise with only the vault remaining. There were concerns about her knee holding up, and you would have needed a knife to cut through the tension at that moment.

Then she delivered this performance…

With that performance and her perfect 10, she won the hearts of millions, if not billions.

Please get better, Mary Lou, as we are not ready for you to leave us.