Mary Lou Retton is speaking publicly for the first time since her arrest for driving under the influence.
On May 17, the former Olympian was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI in Marion County, West Virginia and was released on $1500 bond. She was arrested on one count of “driving under influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties.”
In a statement to People Magazine, the retired gymnast, 57, said, “I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. 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,” she added through her attorney, Edmund J. Rollo.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Retton appeared in court on Tuesday, June 10 and entered a no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge stemming from the incident. She received a $100 fine which is standard for first-time, non-aggravated offenses in the area.
Retton’s attorney adds that she “asks for privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life.”
Her arrest occurred after police responded to reports of a Porsche with a Texas license plate driving “all over the roadway” near downtown Fairmont, West Virginia, according to court documents obtained and reviewed by WDTV.
The gymnastics star was allegedly found in her car in a Marion County AutoZone parking lot with a screw-top bottle of wine in her passenger seat when officers approached her, according to the news station, citing court documents.
Police also claimed Retton was slurring her words while speaking with them at the scene and refused to have her blood tested for alcohol. Three standard field sobriety tests administered by authorities detected Retton was impaired, according to WDTV.
During the 1984 Summer Olympics, Retton became a household name after she was the first American woman to win the individual all-around gold medal in gymnastics.
