Bela Karolyi, a renowned gymnastics coach who helped establish the United States as an Olympic powerhouse in the sport, passed away at the age of 82. Alongside his wife Márta, the couple coached several notable gymnasts throughout the 1980s to 2010s, including icons like Mary Lou Retton, Dominique Dawes, and Simone Biles. The Karolyis defected from Romania to the U.S. and set up a gym in Houston where they trained numerous Olympic champions.
However, their tenure as top coaches for USA Gymnastics was marred by the Larry Nassar scandal, as allegations arose that Nassar had abused gymnasts at the Karolyi Ranch. Despite this, the couple denied any knowledge of Nassar’s crimes and expressed sympathy for the victims. The facility was eventually closed, signifying the end of an era for the Karolyis’ coaching legacy.
Many gymnasts who trained under Bela Karolyi shared mixed feelings about their experiences, with some describing his coaching style as harsh yet impactful. Despite the controversies surrounding the Karolyis, they were instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous elite gymnasts and were honored with induction into the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Bela Karolyi’s passing evoked sentiments of gratitude and respect from the gymnastics community, with former athletes recalling his lasting influence on their lives.
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