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Bela Karolyi, a controversial figure in the world of gymnastics, has trained a plethora of Olympic superstars, from Nadia Comaneci to Mary Lou Retton.
Karolyi died at the age of 82 on November 15, 2024. 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. Nassar is currently serving a life sentence in prison for sexual assault.
Bela and Martha trained world gymnastics champions in both the United States and Romania. From 1999 to 2001, Bela was the national team coordinator for United States women’s national artistic gymnastics team. Martha took over for him in 2001 after he stepped down from the position.
Bela 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.
Here’s what the athletes who have trained with Bela have said about the late gymnastics coach:
Dominique Mocenau
Mocenau had previously been vocal about Karolyi’s alleged abusive behavior and coaching methods, which she detailed in her 2012 memoir. She had been coached by the Karolyis and was part of the “Magnificent 7” team in 1996 that won gold for the U.S. in Atlanta, Georgia.
After his death in November 2024, Mocenau took to X to reflect on her relationship with her former coach.
“Bela Karolyi was a man whose influence on my life and the sport of elite gymnastics is undeniably significant. He was a complex individual, embodying a mix of strengths and flaws that left a lasting impact on those around him. Anyone who has followed my story knows that my journey under Bela’s guidance as my coach came with immense challenges. His harsh words and critical demeanor often weighed heavily on me,” the retired gymnast wrote.
“While our relationship was fraught with difficulty, some of these moments of hardship helped me forge and define my own path,” she continued. “As we bid farewell to Bela, I choose to send loving thoughts to his family and loved ones, and honor our relationship by embracing lessons learned and striving to help create a world where compassion and encouragement guide our actions. May he rest in peace.”
Mary Lou Retton
“They built the dynasty here in America,” Retton, who in 1984 became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics, said in 2016 of both Bela and Martha’s influence on the sport, per USA Gymnastics. “It truly is all their doing. It was difficult when Bela stepped down. Not to say they didn’t have a lot of pillow talk at night, but he really didn’t go into the gym.”
She added, “This was Martha’s baby now, and she’s done a tremendous job…Martha’s still got the snap. Most people don’t realize, even back 30 years Martha was the whole engine. She wanted to be in the back. Now, it’s her time to shine.”
Nadia Comaneci
Comaneci was one of the first gymnasts Karolyi coached in his career, and was notably the first gymnast to receive a perfect score at the Olympics in 1976 at 17 years old.
“A big impact and influence in my life❤️🙏🙏🙏 RIP Bela Karolyi,” Comaneci wrote via Instagram in November following Karolyi’s death, alongside several photos of her and her former coach together.
Kerri Strug
Strug 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.
“Bela is a very tough coach and he gets criticism for that,” Strug said at the time, per ABC News. “But that’s what it takes to become a champion. I don’t think it’s really right that everyone tries to find the faults of Bela. Anything in life, to be successful, you’ve got to work really hard.”
Ecaterina Szabo
“Bela could take on every role: he was a friend, a father, a coach,” the Romanian gymnast, who won three gold medals in the 1984 Olympics, told French outlet L’Equipe of coach Bela in 2017. “He could be very strict…But the mentality was different back then. I’m not here to judge, but there was a lot of respect.
Betty Okino
“Prior to entering the Bela Karolyi camp, I knew one thing; Bela was my bus pass to the Olympics,” the 1992 Olympian wrote in a 2001 article. “After several weeks it became obvious how Bela was going to narrow down the team. He would push, criticize, and work us to our breaking point, and whoever remained standing earned the right to train with him.”
She added, “Karolyi structured his training in a way that built your physical and mental strength to such a remarkable level, that even he couldn’t tear you down. Bela wanted to know that when push came to shove, his athletes could handle any situation thrown at them.”
