How Nadia Comaneci, Kathy Johnson Clarke reacted to news of Mary Lou Retton’s hospitalization

A couple of notable former Olympic gymnasts have reacted to the news that Mary Lou Retton, the first American gymnast to win gold in the Olympic all-around competition, has been hospitalized and is fighting a rare form of pneumonia.

Nadia Comăneci, the five-time gold medal-winning Romanian who was the first gymnast to earn a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games, posted on the X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, expressing her care and concern for Retton.

Comăneci famously inspired Retton’s interest in gymnastics with her gold-winning performance at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

Per USA Today, Retton moved to Houston, Texas specifically to train with coaches Béla and Márta Károlyi, Comăneci’s coaches in Romania.

Under the direction of the Károlyi’s, Retton became an American sports star at 16-year-old when she won five medals at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. That included the United States’ first-ever gold in the all-around competition.

One of her teammates in 1984 — Kathy Johnson Clarke — also took to social media to express her thoughts and prayers for her former teammate and friend.

“Holding you tightly in my thoughts & prayers as I have many times, whether in celebration, solidarity, or support in challenging times,” Johnson Clark wrote on X. “May your beautiful, warrior spirit get you through this, Mary Lou, and know that you’re loved unconditionally and without limits.”

As of Wednesday night, the Spotfund page established by Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley has raised over $300,000, well over the $50,000 target, thanks to donations from nearly 5,500 people.

Related

• Family members ask for prayers for famed gymnast Mary Lou Retton

The largest donation as of Wednesday night has been for $50,000, from a Linda Mcingvale.

Many donors also left messages of support in addition to funds, more than 3,000 comments in total, saying things like:

• “We love you! Get well soon!” — Rocco Pintozzi.

• “Praying for you MaryLou!” — Anonymous.

• “Praying for you Mary Lou! Also praying for you girls, for strength, peace and to feel God’s loving arms wrapped around you all.” — Jennifer Meggs.

• “Our donations could never match what you gave our country.” — Grew Up W/your Hairstyle.

• “Praying for America’s Sweetheart and all her family and friends!” 🙏🏽 — Adam Tower.

• “You’re an American Sweetheart and we’re praying for you! ❤️” — Marlo Hiaring.

• “Sending healing prayers for this amazing woman - a true legend.” — Trish Deangelis.