Mary Lou Retton

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mary-lou-retton

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Mary Lou Retton born?January 24, 1968
2. Where was Mary Lou Retton born?Fairmont, West Virginia, USA
3. What is the olympic all-around gold medal year?1984
4. What is the cultural impact?Became a major pop culture icon and inspired a generation of athletes
5. Who is Mary Lou Retton?Mary Lou Retton is an American gymnast who won the all‑around gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She became the first American woman to win that title and is known for her powerful tumbling and bright smile.
6. Why was her 1984 Olympic win special?Her win was special because it broke the long‑standing dominance of Soviet and Eastern European gymnasts. It also happened during a time when the U.S. had missed the 1980 Moscow Games, so it was a symbol of renewed pride.

All-Around Competition: A gymnastics discipline where athletes are judged on their performance across all apparatuses, showcasing versatility and comprehensive skill.
Biomechanics: The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms, applied here to athletic performance.
Cultural Icon: A person or thing that is widely recognized and admired for their influence on popular culture and society.