Mary Lou Retton has broken her silence after she was arrested for driving under the influence.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the retired Olympic gymnast, 57, says “I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses. To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry.”
“I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support,” she adds, through her attorney Edmund J. Rollo.
Retton was arrested on May 17 in West Virginia when police responded to reports of a Porsche with a Texas license plate driving “all over the roadway” near downtown Fairmont, according to court documents obtained and reviewed by WDTV.
Retton, a five-time Olympic medalist, was found in her car in a Marion County AutoZone parking lot with a screw-top bottle of wine in her passenger seat when officers approached her, according to the news station, citing court documents.
Police also claimed Retton was slurring her words while speaking with them at the scene and refused to have her blood tested for alcohol. Additionally, three standard field sobriety tests administered by officials detected the former sports star was impaired, according to WDTV.
Retton was arrested on one count of “driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties.”
The Dancing with the Stars alum was issued a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, which she posted that same day.
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She shares four daughters — Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma — with her ex-husband, Shannon Kelley.
In October 2023, Retton was hospitalized and in the ICU with a rare form of pneumonia, her daughter McKenna revealed. “My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” McKenna shared.
“She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured,” she said, while also linking a Spotfund page for support.
In July 2024, Retton told PEOPLE she felt that “God wasn’t ready for me yet,” though she felt her life would “never be the same” again, as she said she still relied on daily oxygen.
“It’s been really hard,” Retton shared. 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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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