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: 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 g.
