Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is currently battling a rare form of pneumonia and her former Dancing With The Stars partner has shared an update on her condition.
News that Retton, 55, was "fighting for her life" in intensive care was first shared by her daughter McKenna Kelley, on social media.
She had shared a link to a fundraising page after revealing that her mother was seriously ill but did not have health insurance to cover her medical costs.
Retton's former professional dance partner on the show, Sasha Farber, has revealed that he spoke with the olympian and she is still "fighting" but said she "kind of wants to give up".
Farber told Entertainment Tonight: "I’ve been talking to her today and she’s fighting. She kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, 'There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!'"
The pair had been partnered together as she competed in season 27 of Dancing With The Stars in 2018.
He added that Retton had been in Los Angeles a few weeks ago but Farber hadn't been able to meet up with her due to his rehearsal schedule.
Farber explained: "But I just mean, you know, you’ve got to see the people [you care about], you’ve gotta say hi, you gotta call them, and I’ve been speaking to her today."
Retton's daughter also shared an update, writing on Instagram: 'My sisters Skyla, Shayla, Emma and I wold like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our Mom.
"Mom is in ICU and continues to fight. She is getting incredible medical care! Thank you to all the doctors and nurses.
"We ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts for our Mom."
Kelley had earlier told fans on the fundraising page: "On behalf of my sisters and I, we need y’all’s help. My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life."
She continued: "She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she 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.
"ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom. Thank y’all so very much!"
The SpotFund account had been set up with an initial target of $50,000 but has already surpassed its goal, currently having raised over $395,000.
Retton is known as one of the United States' most popular athletes, having won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
She came first in the all-around competition, as well as earning two silver medals and two bronze medals, making history as the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics at the event.
Her routine on the uneven bars even resulted in a move being coined the 'Retton Flip', consisting of a front flip from a low to high bar, resulting in her 'sitting' on top of the high bar, before retiring from the sport in 1986.
She was also inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame as well as the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Our thoughts are with Retton and her family and send well-wishes for a speedy recovery.
