Mary Lou Retton Quotes

You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it’s awful… I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost.

The endorsement game has been very good to me.

That’s because the International Olympic Committee has a policy of never replacing medals.

Pay-per-view would deprive many kids of the delight of seeing the Olympics.

Many medal winners dream of competing in a sport other than the one they’re famous for.

Many athletes competing in Atlanta wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for corporate support.

It’s going to be really weird when I’m 80 years old, in a walker, and people are still calling me America’s sweetheart. We need a new one.

In the dressing room, I always put on my right shoe first. Same thing for my right wristband.

In L.A., we had a game room with a new sensation called Pac-Man.

If I had a bad performance in a particular leotard, I threw it in the trash.

I usually don’t mind giving autographs, but when hundreds of folks with paper and pen start coming at you, it’s time to seek shelter.

I love her attitude, but as much as I’d like to bring my medals to a speech or appearance, I never do.

Having a home away from the media glare is important to world-class athletes.

Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience.

Fragile egos are put on the line every day.

Former Olympians also get paid to make appearances. Many of them won their medals in an era when Olympic success didn’t go hand-in-hand with financial success.

For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed.

For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.

Companies that support sports developmental programs in our communities should also be applauded.