Mary Lou Retton suffers ‘scary setback’ in terrifying health update as Olympic legend battles rare pneumonia in ICU
GYMNASTICS icon Mary Lou Retton has suffered a setback in her fight against a rare type of pneumonia.
The Olympic gold medal winner, 55, remains in intensive care where her daughter Shayla Kelly Schrepfer previously revealed she is "fighting for her life."
Retton is a household name after her gymnastics exploits at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Shayla wrote on spotfund earlier this month that her mom was unable "to breathe on her own."
Schrepfer provided an update on Retton's health in an emotional video on Wednesday.
She revealed that despite improvement over the weekend, Retton had suffered a "scary setback."
READ MORE ON GYMNASTICS
Schrepfer said in the Instagram video: "Just wanted to give an update and thank you guys again for the support.
"I’m getting so many messages and emails and it’s so great to see people love on her.
"We were so excited, seeing so much progress [over the weekend] and then yesterday [Tuesday], we had a pretty scary setback.
"She is still in ICU, and we’re just working through some things as far as her setback goes."
Most read in Athletics
Schrepfer also added that Retton was "just really, really exhausted."
Retton became the first American woman gymnast to take gold in the individual all-around competition in 1984.
She was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated that same year after winning five total medals on home soil.
The spotfund for Retton has already raised over $450,000, as of October 19.
That has smashed through the original target of $50,000, with Schrepfer thanking fans for their kind donations.
In a plea on the page, Schrepfer writes: "Please help my mom continue to fight.
"Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details.
"However, I will disclose that she is not insured.
"We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill."