Olympic Legend Mary Lou Retton's Miraculous Triumph Over Rare Pneumonia Sends Shockwaves

Retired Olympic gold medalist gymnast Mary Lou Retton suffered a "frightening setback" in her battle against a rare form of pneumonia this week, despite recent substantial advancements towards her recovery. Her daughter Shayla Kelley Schrepfer disclosed on Wednesday night in an Instagram video that Retton remains in the intensive care unit and is currently "exceptionally fatigued."

Gold medal winner Mary Lou Retton poses for a photograph after the awards ceremony for the Women's Gymnastics Combined event at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

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Olympic icon Mary Lou Retton 'fighting for her life,' according to daughter

"At the start of this week, we were experiencing positive momentum. We were filled with excitement, witnessing significant progress. However, yesterday we encountered a rather distressing setback," Schrepfer expressed. "She is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, and we are diligently addressing the challenges pertaining to her setback."

Earlier this month, Retton's family revealed that the 55-year-old is battling an uncommon type of pneumonia, posing a life-threatening situation. To assist with the substantial medical expenses, Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, initiated an online fundraising campaign on behalf of her four sisters, emphasizing that Retton lacks health insurance coverage.

Earlier this week, Schrepfer informed that Retton, a 55-year-old, still required intensive care, but her breathing was showing signs of improvement and she was gradually becoming less dependent on machines.

"Mom's progress is truly extraordinary!" expressed Schrepfer. "The power of prayers has been acknowledged and responded to."

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs. The severity of symptoms can vary, from mild to life-threatening. Individuals at higher risk include adults above the age of 65, children under the age of 5, and those with underlying medical conditions. The specific type of pneumonia that the mother has been diagnosed with has not been disclosed by the family.

"We kindly request that you respect her privacy during this time, as we prefer to keep the specific details within our immediate family," Schrepfer mentioned in a previous Instagram post.

Retton achieved an impressive accomplishment by securing a total of five medals in the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. Her remarkable feat surpassed that of all other athletes competing in the games, ultimately propelling her to become widely recognized and revered by the public. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the inaugural American female to procure an Olympic gold medal in the individual all-around event. Recognizing her exceptional contributions to the sport, Retton was rightfully inducted into the prestigious International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.

CNNs Jacob Lev and David Close contributed to this report.