On this day in 1984, Mary Lou Retton wins gold
Before Gabby Douglas, there was Mary Lou. Here, the first American woman to win the Olympic gold medal in the all-around gymnastics competition stands shoulder-to-head with President Ronald Reagan.
Between Mary Lou Retton and Gabrielle “the Flying Squirrel” Douglas, there have been only two other American all-around champions; Douglas is the first to come home with both this and the team gold.
Photo from the Reagan Library: President Reagan posing with Mary Lou Retton and the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, California. 8/13/84.
Source: reagan.utexas.edu
This summer marks the 116th anniversary of the modern Olympic games, which began on April 6, 1896 in Athens, Greece.
Ok, we really just wanted an excuse to post this photo of President Reagan and gold (and silver, and bronze) medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton, taken with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, California.
8/13/84.
Source: reagan.utexas.edu
