MARY LOU RETTON.

If you want to feel old, consider this: the West Virginia gymnast who won the hearts of millions at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games celebrated her 40th birthday in January. Where did the time go?

We had that feeling last Sunday at the 62nd annual Victory Awards Dinner, where the diminutive mother of four daughters was inducted into the W.Va. Sports Hall of Fame by the sponsoring W.Va. Sports Writers Association.

With an estimated 50 members of the Retton family and friends among the 500-plus crowd, the bubbly Retton was the highlight of the program. Before the event, she made it a point to shake hands and introduce herself to the honored high school athletes seated on the dias, all of whom were born after her historic performance in 1984.

After being introduced by fellow Marion County-native, GOV. JOE MANCHIN, the personable Retton made it clear she was not only proud to be a West Virginian but she planned to make the Mountain State her ‘‘retirement’’ home.

A resident of Houston, Texas, her entire adult life, the 4-foot-10 Retton is married to a former University of Texas quarterback, SHANNON KELLEY, who now works in the real estate field.

‘‘I love being a wife and mother,’’ Retton told the crowd. ‘‘And my husband is the best. He knows I love this state where most of my family and friends live.