Get the latest gossip

What Athletes Have Said About Late Gymnastics Coach Bela Karolyi


Late gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi trained legendary Olympic champions such as Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton

Over the course of his career, the alleged strictness of his coaching methods has been called into question more than once, as well as his and wife Martha Karolyi ’s relationship with former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. Bela KarolyisJeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, IncBela left behind a complex legacy, but his and Martha’s 30-year career produced nearly 30 Olympians and 9 Olympic champions, per USA Gymnastics, which along with Comaneci and Retton, included Julianne McNamara, Phoebe Mills, Betty Okino, Kristie Phillips, Kerri Strug, Dominique Mocenau and Kim Zmeskal, all of whom have been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Taylor Hill/Getty ImagesStrug competed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Karolyi notably helped an injured Strug off of the floor after performing her vault on a sprained ankle, which ultimately won Team USA the gold medal.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Us Weekly

Read more on:

Photo of bela karolyi

bela karolyi

Related news:

News photo

Gymnast Dominique Moceanu on Late Coach Bela Karolyi’s Complicated Legacy