A revered figure in American sports was back in headlines for all the wrong reasons after a DUI arrest in West Virginia drew sharp public attention.

Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton was taken into custody earlier this month after police responded to reports of erratic driving and made a concerning discovery in her vehicle. The new details, including what was found on the passenger seat, have raised even more questions about the once-celebrated athlete’s recent struggles.

On May 27, law enforcement officials released updated information about Retton’s May 17 arrest. According to court documents, authorities received a report of a Porsche with Texas plates swerving along the Gateway Connector toward downtown Fairmont.

Officers later located the vehicle in an AutoZone parking lot, where they discovered Retton behind the wheel. Police said that upon approaching the car, they detected the smell of alcohol and observed that the Olympic medalist was slurring her words.

Officers administered three field sobriety tests, all of which confirmed she was impaired. In the passenger seat of her vehicle, officers found a screw-top bottle of wine.

Retton, 57, refused to take a blood test to determine her blood alcohol level, according to the report. Authorities later charged her with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.

Magistrate court records confirm that she was released the same day on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.

The incident has fueled renewed interest in Retton’s life, particularly following a recent health crisis that nearly claimed her life. In October 2023, her daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared on social media that Retton had been hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia.

At the time, Kelley said her mother was in the ICU, unable to breathe on her own, and fighting for her life. She also disclosed that Retton was uninsured, and the family launched a Spotfund campaign to raise money for her medical expenses.

The crowdfunding effort garnered widespread attention and quickly surpassed its goal, raising $459,354 out of an initial $50,000 target as of this writing.

Though many expressed support and donated, Retton later faced public scrutiny. Critics questioned how a well-known Olympic champion could be uninsured and in need of financial assistance.

In a May 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Retton addressed the criticism, stating the donations were used strictly for her medical bills and that any remaining funds would be given to the American Lung Association.

In another interview, this time with People in 2024, Retton spoke candidly about her health ordeal. “Girl, I should be dead,” she said. She revealed that doctors had advised her daughters to come say their goodbyes, with Kelley telling her, “Mommy, it’s OK, you can go.”

The Olympic medalist said she survived because “God wasn’t ready for me yet,” but described the physical and emotional toll as ongoing.

“It’s been really hard,” she said. “My lungs are so scarred. It will be a lifetime of recovery. My physicality was the only thing I had and it was taken away from me. It’s embarrassing.”

Retton’s arrest marks a huge difference from her early image as a symbol of resilience and excellence. Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, she was inspired by Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci and dedicated herself to the sport at a young age.

She relocated to Houston for training with Bela and Marta Karolyi, Comaneci’s former coaches, and rapidly advanced in the national rankings.

Her moment of glory came at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery, she delivered a stunning performance, earning perfect 10s on vault and floor to clinch the all-around gold.

She made history as the first American woman to win a gold medal in that event. She then secured a total of five medals—one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes—exceeding any other athlete’s medal count at those Games.

This success brought her widespread acclaim. The American press named her Sportswoman of the Year and Amateur Athlete of the Year. After retiring in 1985, Retton remained a public figure, working in television, endorsing brands, and engaging in motivational speaking.

Additionally, Fairmont honored her by naming a street and park after her, and in 1997, she joined the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

In a national survey conducted nearly a decade after her Olympic win, Retton was ranked as one of the most popular sporting figures in the country, tied with figure skater Dorothy Hamill.

Despite her enduring fame, the events of the past few years have altered the public’s perception of the gymnastics legend.

The 2023 health crisis, financial revelations, and now a criminal charge have created a far more complicated portrait of an athlete once known for her strength and composure under pressure.