Olympic Gymnasts Who Look Totally Different Today

Every four years, the Summer Olympics mark the passage of time with feats of athleticism and international sportsmanship. More than a century has passed since the modern Olympic Games began in Athens, Greece, in 1896, but each new competition builds on the games' legacy with determined competitors and, if we're lucky, newly broken records. Sports like gymnastics see the rise and fall of athletic titans, and their larger-than-life personalities and indomitable spirits become seared into our memories. It's no wonder, then, that we tend to remember amazing gymnasts as they were — snapshots of their Olympics selves — rather than in their post-Olympics realities.

That said, their stories aren't over. After their standout athletics careers, many Olympic gymnasts have gone on to live full lives of advocacy, transformation, and style. (And if you're Simone Biles, you've evolved while continuing to slay on the mat.) Evolving from those fresh-faced youths who entranced the world with their performances to mature women who continue to inspire, these gymnastic legends have come a long way since their Olympic debuts.

One of the first stars of the American gymnastics scene, Mary Lou Retton made history at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Unbelievably, the then-16-year-old athlete received perfect scores for both vaulting and the floor exercise. This outstanding performance earned Retton the all-around gold, making her the first-ever American woman to score an individual gymnastics medal. 

Posters of the athlete were soon hanging in bedrooms around the country, but Retton wasn't defined by her athleticism. The gymnast had other life goals, leading her to retire from gymnastics only two years after her Olympics triumph. Speaking to The New York Times in 1986, Retton said, "I have achieved the goals as a gymnast that I set out for myself." Retton transitioned into commentating, started a family, and even competed on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2018.

Throughout this journey, Retton's sunny confidence has continued to shine, even as her style has evolved. Retton initially charmed the world with her bright smile, shaggy '80s pixie cut, and sporty, girl-next-door style. A peek at the former gymnast's Instagram reveals that, now in her 50s, Retton prefers slightly longer hair, often opting for a neat, chin-length bob. And while her day-to-day fashion is still understated and breezy — think well-cut jeans, long-sleeved tees, cold-shoulder blouses, draped tank tops — Retton pulls out the glitz and glamor for special occasions. For instance, Retton's stint on "Dancing with the Stars" showed off her big personality with ample sequins and fringe.

If Mary Lou Retton cracked the door for America's female gymnasts, Shannon Miller kicked it open. Miller ruled gymnastics in the '90s, including appearing at two Olympic Games. At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Miller won five medals — more than any other athlete from the U.S. But Miller's most-remembered performance came at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where she helped lead the women's "Magnificent Seven" gymnastics team to an incredible victory over Russia's team. The U.S. team won its very first gold, bolstered by Miller's individual gold medal in the balance beam.

After officially retiring in 2001, Miller founded The Shannon Miller Foundation to help combat childhood obesity — a focus that later expanded to include childhood cancers. This shift may be tied to Miller's own experience with cancer in 2011. "My cancer journey began with a doctor's visit that I almost canceled," she admitted to Future of Personal Health, reminding us that we should visit our gynecologists every year. Miller had a baseball-sized cyst that turned out to be ovarian cancer. She's now been cancer-free for more than a decade, but the experience shaped both her life and outlook. As the former gymnast said, "We must make our health a priority."

Today, Miller has grown into herself with grace and style. In her young gymnast years, Miller had the fluffiest blond bangs and an ever-present scrunchie — both on and off the mats. Now, Miller's Instagram reveals a preference for loose, gently curled locks in a warmer hue. She's also developed a refined sense of style, from chic, fitted cocktail dresses to some supremely covetable bodysuit-and-slacks ensembles.

The U.S. women's gymnastics team has continued to churn out inspiring athletes. Enter Dominique Dawes, who repped America in three different Olympics: Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, and Sydney in 2000. Dawes was the first African-American woman to qualify for the national team and the first to win an individual gymnastic medal, bringing home the bronze for her floor performance. While Dawes retired following the 2000 Olympics, she was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Even now, Dawes is building a legacy in the world of gymnastics, campaigning for better conditions. "I went through a very challenging childhood ... where I sacrificed my childhood to win an Olympic gold medal," Dawes told CNBC. She has also critiqued the toxic culture in gymnastics, eventually founding her own school for the sport: the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy. "I want to make sure that young kids, boys and girls, have a positive and empowering safe space to go to be introduced to the sport of gymnastics," Dawes added to CNBC.

The mother of four has evolved from a sweet ingénue into a strong, self-assured woman — a transformation reflected in her style. In the '90s, Dawes wore a clean face, front-curled bangs, and a tight ballerina bun. Today, you're more likely to spot her with sleek, straightened hair falling around her collarbones and a soft, natural makeup look. From her Instagram, it's clear that Dawes keeps an active lifestyle, often donning athleisure for errands or work at her sports academy. Still, the Olympian isn't afraid to dress up in the occasional showstopper, including sharp blazers and glamorous gowns.

McKayla Maroney stood with (and apparently named) one of the most famous squads in gymnastics: Team USA's "Fierce Five," who earned the women's first team gold in 16 years at the 2012 Olympics in London. Individually, Maroney scored a silver medal in the vault — and launched a meme in the process. The gymnast was caught making a face on the medal podium that quickly became the "McKayla Maroney is not impressed" meme, which was repurposed online to poke fun at everything from double-rainbows to "Magic Mike."

Unfortunately, it wasn't all fun and Olympic Games for Maroney. After her 2012 appearance, the gymnast faced a slew of tragedies: having her underage nudes leaked online, fighting an eating disorder, speaking out about the sexual abuse committed by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, and dealing with her father's unexpected passing. Understandably, the athlete stepped away from the limelight for a while, but now, Maroney is showing us all how to regain your sparkle after feeling defeated. "I want to be looked at as someone who just keeps going," Maroney told Elle in April. "For so long, I was surviving. Now I feel I'm actually living."

This new lease on life is showing off a whole new McKayla. From the no-nonsense style of her gymnast era, Maroney has adopted a more feminine aesthetic. Her Instagram is full of fashionable selfies, pairing statement pieces like sheer mesh bodysuits and leather peekaboo skorts against flowing hair, expertly painted lips, and smoky eyes. After Maroney's long and difficult road to adulthood, we love to see her joy and self-confidence in each new look.

If you need help with an eating disorder or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Superstar Simone Biles has experienced quite the evolution since joining Team USA. Her first Olympics were the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, where the then-19-year-old athlete secured her place in gymnastics history by earning five medals: golds in the vault, floor routine, team events, and all-around individual, plus a bronze in the balance beam.

Catapulted to instant fame, Biles' reputation only grew with each competition and World Championship. However, the athlete's fans had a surprise at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Bravely prioritizing her well-being and mental health, Biles withdrew from several events due to a case of "the twisties" — a disorienting mental block that can ruin a gymnast's ability to control their movements in the air. "It's basically like your mind and your body is at a disconnect," Biles said on the podcast "Call Her Daddy." The gymnast also explained the deep dread she felt around her decision: "I thought I was going to be banned from America. Because that's what they tell you, 'Don't come back if it's not gold. Gold or bust – don't come back.'"

But she did come back, and she's still inspiring the public. Now 27 and married, Biles is a champion of mental health, and as her Instagram shows, she's also grown in her personal style, showcasing flawless makeup looks, mile-long lashes, and haute-couture fashions from brands like Gucci. Biles has even shared expert styling tips for short girls, because this gymnastics goddess isn't about gatekeeping her look. And she's not done with gymnastics, either, as Biles is gearing up to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.