'Utterly Heartbreaking & Embarrassing': Body Cam Footage of Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton's DUI Arrest Released

Once hailed as America's sweetheart of the gymnastics world, Mary Lou Retton is now facing public scrutiny after bodycam footage of her recent DUI arrest was made public.

Bodycam footage of Mary Lou Retton's May 17, 2025, arrest has been released, showing the Olympic gold medalist in a distressed and vulnerable state as she attempts to complete a field sobriety test for West Virginia law enforcement.

The 57-year-old gymnast was arrested on a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge after being found inside her car in an AutoZone parking lot in Marion County. Officers reportedly discovered a screw-top bottle of wine in the passenger seat.

In the footage, Retton appears visibly shaken, repeatedly saying, "Oh my God," as an officer guides her through the sobriety test. At one point during the interaction, she appears to struggle with breathing and pauses to retrieve her oxygen supply before continuing the test.

The sobriety test included having Retton put her foot up six inches off the ground and count until she was instructed to stop. At the time, she struggled to count past nine.

In another test, Retton failed to follow the officer's finger without moving her head — a key requirement of the evaluation. Instead of maintaining focus, the Olympic gold medalist became distracted by the officer's appearance.

Next, Retton was instructed to perform the walk-and-turn test, which required her to take eighteen heel-to-toe steps in a straight line while counting aloud.

Before beginning, she confidently stated, "I'm an Olympic gold medalist," but ultimately did not complete the test successfully.

A striking moment in the video came when Retton realized the officer didn't recognize her. "He's too young to know who I am," she said, referencing her past fame as a five-time Olympic medalist and 1984 all-around gymnastics champion.

Following the incident, Retton pleaded no contest to a non-aggravated DUI charge and received a $100 fine. She later issued a statement through Entertainment Tonight, taking accountability for her actions.

"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 shared.

Reactions to the released footage have been sharply divided online. Many expressed frustration over what they saw as lenient consequences.

"Her only penalty was a lousy $100 fine? Seriously? Throw the book at her, regardless of Mary Lou's celebrity status. Her entitlement is staggering," one netizen wrote. Another added, "I don't feel sorry for her. Don't drink and drive!!! It's pretty simple! [sic]"

Other netizens felt it wasn't necessary for Retton to mention that the officer wouldn't recognize her. One fan commented, "He's too young to know who I am . Entitled much ? Just because you were America's sweetheart 40 years ago doesn't give you a free pass for the rest of your life . [sic]"

One particular comment discussed Retton's repetitive mention of "Oh my God," saying, "She keeps saying "OH MY GOD" as if she's done nothing wrong and has no idea why she's being detained and arrested. [sic]"

"watching the while video, she sounds a little entitled and as if this was more of an inconvenience to her than a possible deadly accident [sic]" another netizen agreed.

Others, however, showed compassion for the former athlete. "How utterly heartbreaking & embarrassing. 😣🤦‍♀️" one person commented. "She's such an icon. This is painful to watch. I hope she is doing well now," echoed another.

Retton's arrest took fans down memory lane, which saddened them. "I'm so sad by this. I was a teenager when she got gold in the Olympics & watched her win. To go from that to this? Prayers," one of her former supporters shared.

Ultimately, one fan applauded the former gymnast for her accountability following the incident. "At least she's taken responsibility for her actions. I wish her well," the person wrote.

Her arrest came after police responded to reports of erratic driving, and they ultimately found concerning evidence that she had been drinking.

On May 27, 2025, law enforcement officials released updated information about Retton's May 17 arrest. According to court documents, authorities received a report of a Porsche with Texas plates swerving along the Gateway Connector toward downtown Fairmont.

Police said that upon approaching the car, they detected the smell of alcohol and observed that the Olympic medalist was slurring her words.

Retton, 57, refused to take a blood test to determine her blood alcohol level, according to the report. Authorities later charged her with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs.

Magistrate court records confirm that she was released the same day on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.

The incident has fueled renewed interest in Retton's life, particularly following a recent health crisis that nearly claimed her life. In October 2023, her daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared on social media that Retton had been hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia.

At the time, Kelley said her mother was in the ICU, unable to breathe on her own, and fighting for her life. She also disclosed that Retton was uninsured, and the family launched a Spotfund campaign to raise money for her medical expenses.

The crowdfunding effort garnered widespread attention and quickly surpassed its goal, raising $459,354 out of an initial $50,000 target as of this writing.

Though many expressed support and donated, Retton later faced public scrutiny. Critics questioned how a well-known Olympic champion could be uninsured and in need of financial assistance.

In a May 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Retton addressed the criticism, stating the donations were used strictly for her medical bills and that any remaining funds would be given to the American Lung Association.

In another interview, this time with People in 2024, Retton spoke candidly about her health ordeal. "Girl, I should be dead," she said. She revealed that doctors had advised her daughters to come say their goodbyes, with Kelley telling her, "Mommy, it's OK, you can go."

The Olympic medalist said she survived because "God wasn't ready for me yet," but described the physical and emotional toll as ongoing.

"It's been really hard," she said. "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."

Retton's arrest marks a huge difference from her early image as a symbol of resilience and excellence. Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, she was inspired by Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci and dedicated herself to the sport at a young age.

She relocated to Houston for training with Bela and Marta Karolyi, Comaneci's former coaches, and rapidly advanced in the national rankings.

Her moment of glory came at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery, she delivered a stunning performance, earning perfect 10s on vault and floor to clinch the all-around gold.

She made history as the first American woman to win a gold medal in that event. She then secured a total of five medals — one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes — exceeding any other athlete's medal count at those Games.

This success brought her widespread acclaim. The American press named her Sportswoman of the Year and Amateur Athlete of the Year. After retiring in 1985, Retton remained a public figure, working in television, endorsing brands, and engaging in motivational speaking.

Additionally, Fairmont honored her by naming a street and park after her, and in 1997, she joined the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

In a national survey conducted nearly a decade after her Olympic win, Retton was ranked as one of the most popular sporting figures in the country, tied with figure skater Dorothy Hamill.

Despite her enduring fame, the events of the past few years have altered the public's perception of the gymnastics legend.

The 2023 health crisis, financial revelations, and now a criminal charge have created a far more complicated portrait of an athlete once known for her strength and composure under pressure.