One was a former Olympic gymnast who won the Gold in the 1984 Olympics, the other a perennial tennis champion. They were the first two women athletes to appear on the box of Wheaties cereal. Who are they?

The iconic orange box of Wheaties cereal, famously known as "The Breakfast of Champions," has long celebrated athletic greatness. While many athletes have graced its packaging, it was two extraordinary women who first broke barriers by appearing prominently on the front of the box. The first was Mary Lou Retton, whose dazzling performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles captured the hearts of a nation. Despite undergoing knee surgery just weeks prior, Retton, then a 16-year-old gymnast, clinched the individual all-around gold medal, becoming the first American woman to achieve this historic feat in Olympic gymnastics. Her perfect 10s on the floor exercise and vault sealed her victory, making her an instant superstar and the first female athlete to be featured on the coveted front panel of a Wheaties box.

Following Retton's groundbreaking appearance, perennial tennis champion Chris Evert became the second woman athlete to grace the front of the Wheaties box in 1987. Evert was a dominant force in women's tennis for decades, accumulating an astounding 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her illustrious career. Her remarkable achievements included a record seven French Open titles and a joint-record six US Open titles, solidifying her status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Her consistent excellence and numerous championships made her a natural choice for the cereal that champions eat.

The inclusion of Retton and Evert on the front of the Wheaties box was a significant moment in sports marketing and a testament to their impact. While other women and female athletes had appeared on Wheaties boxes earlier, they were typically featured on the back or sides of the packaging. It was not until 1984 with Mary Lou Retton, and then Chris Evert in 1987, that female athletes were given the prominent front-of-box recognition, cementing their status as national heroes and inspiring countless aspiring athletes..