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Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton out of hospital

Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton out of hospital
© Reuters
Olympic gold medal-winning former gymnast Mary Lou Retton is discharged from hospital and returns home following a life-threatening illness.

Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton has been discharged from hospital and has returned home following a life-threatening illness.

The 55-year-old has spent almost two weeks in intensive care after contracting a rare form of pneumonia.

News of Retton's hospitalisation sparked an outpouring of support for the American, with a fundraising page set up to cover her medical bills reaching almost $460,000 (£376,000) as of Tuesday morning.

Her daughter McKenna Lane Kelley has now revealed on Instagram that Retton is back home, but warned that there is still a "long road of recovery ahead" for the former gymnast.

"We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps," read the post.

"We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone. Grateful doesn't scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts."

Retton became the first American woman to win the all-around Olympic gymnastics gold at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

Nicknamed 'America's Sweetheart' following her success on home soil, Retton also won two silver medals - in the team and vault events - and two bronzes - in the uneven bars and floor - at the 1984 Olympics.

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