Prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics, no American woman had ever won gold in gymnastics. Amazingly, at just 16 years old, Retton became the first to ever do it. It was the final round of the women's all-around, and she would need a perfect 10 on her vault to win gold, She had two attempts to accomplish this historic feat and got a 10 on both vaults! Retton finished the 1984 Olympics winning a total of five medals, the most by any athlete that year. 

​

Her gymnastics career expanded well beyond the Summer Olympics that brought her fame. Her other notable accomplishments include:

• Being the only woman to win three American cups

• Being the only American to win the Chunichi Cup

• Winning two U.S. Gymnastics Federation American Classics

• Winning the all-around title at the 1984 National Championships

• First woman to appear on Wheaties box

• Inducted into International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997