Mary Lou Retton: Former Olympic champion is back home from hospital and 'in recovery mode'

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to win the all-around gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984

Olympic gold medallist Mary Lou Retton is home from hospital and "in recovery mode", says one of her four daughters.

The former gymnast spent nearly two weeks in intensive care after a rare form of pneumonia left the 55-year-old fighting for her life.

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

"We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps," McKenna Lane Kelley said

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

Nicknamed "America's Sweetheart", Retton's gold medal-winning performance at the 1984 Olympics captured the imagination of US fans, and her hospitalisation has prompted an outpouring of support.

A fundraising page set up by the family to help cover Retton's hospital bills was approaching $460,000 (拢376,000) in donations on Monday. The family previously revealed that Retton is uninsured.

"Thank you Jesus, thank you doctors and nurses, thank you to this loving community of support," Kelley said.