BREAKING NEWS Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton speaks out for the first time since DUI arrest
The 57-year-old retired gymnast appeared in court in West Virginia on Tuesday and has now spoken out for the first time, opening up on her 'completely unacceptable' actions.
On May 17, Retton was found in her car in a parking lot with a screw-top bottle of wine on the passenger seat, before refusing to have her blood tested for alcohol.
In court on Tuesday, Retton entered a no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge, receiving a $100 fine - the standard amount for a first-time offense.
'I take full responsibility for my actions,' she told PEOPLE after the court hearing, her first public statement on the incident nearly a month on.
'What happened was completely unacceptable,' she added, through her attorney Edmund J. Rollo. 'I make no excuses. To my family, friends and my fans: 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.'
In addition, she asked for 'privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life.'
Retton previously courted controversy in 2023, when she was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia and her family set up a Spotfund page for support, which went on to raise over half a million dollars.
The family soon drew criticism after refusing to clarify where the donations would be going. Retton's claim to not have insurance was also doubted by some.
Just over a year since the illness left her fighting for her life in a hospital ICU, news of her booze-fueled antics sparked concern as she continues to undergo treatment for long Covid and lung problems.
And according to Shaun Kelley, the brother of her ex-husband Shannon, just one drink is capable of causing a chemical imbalance in Mary Lou's brain because of the medications she's currently taking.
'She couldn't even take a full breath when I talked to her, she takes these little panting breaths,' Shaun told The New York Post about his ex-sister-in-law last week, whom he says has no history of alcohol abuse.
He also added: 'She is on all these meds and one drink could throw off her brain chemistry.'
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