gymnastics when she
was little. At age 4, she
taught herself to do a 1
handed cartwheel. Gabby
started gymnastics when
she was 6 years old.
Gabby was named the
Virginia State
Gymnastics Champion
when she was 8 years old
in 2004.
Gabby started competing
nationally in 2010. Gabby
was 14 when she moved
to Des Moines, Iowa to
train with famous
gymnastics trainer Liang
Chow. Liang Chow
trained with Shawn
Johnson.
Before competing, Gabby
has a "Lucky Rock" that
she rubs 3 times for good
luck. People call Gabby,
"Flying Squirrel” because
This is Mary Lou Retton with
all her medals!
This is Nastia Liukin.
MARY LOU RETTON
Mary Lou Retton is a
retired Olympic gymnast
who won gold, silver, and
bronze medals at the
1984 Olympics. In 1983
she won gold medals on
floor and the vault. She
tied 1st place on uneven
parallel bars.
Mary Lou Retton was
born on January 24,
1968 in Fairmont, West
Virginia. Retton was only
7 years old when she
began taking gymnastics
lessons. At the 1983
American Cup, Retton
was a substitute for
someone injured. Retton
is the 1st female gymnast
outside Eastern Europe
she flies across the floor
like a flying squirrel.
Gabby sometimes says to
herself, "Why can't I be a
normal guy girl?" But
Gabby is really blessed in
her position. Gabby is my
favorite gymnast.
SPORTS
who won the Olympic all
around title. Retton got
so famous after the
Olympics, she was on
many commercials. She
was also on the Wheaties
cereal box.
Retton was elected to
become the 1st gymnast
in the U.S. Olympic Hall of
Fame. In 1985 Retton
retired from gymnastics.
She got inducted into the
International Gymnastics
Hall of Fame.
Now, Retton lives in
Houston, Texas with her
husband and 4
daughters. She is an
amazing gymnast.
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