Bela Karolyi, the renowned coach behind USA Gymnastics’ rise to global dominance, passes away at age 82.

Bela Karolyi, a prominent gymnastics coach in the United States, passed away at age 82. Alongside his wife Márta, he helped build USA Gymnastics into an Olympics and international competition powerhouse. They found success with gymnasts like Nadia Comăneci in Romania and later helped launch the careers of American stars like Dominique Dawes and Mary Lou Retton. After moving to the U.S., they set up a gym in Houston that attracted young women hoping to compete on the world stage. Bela eventually served as national team coordinator before stepping down, with Márta taking over until her retirement in 2016. Their influence included working with Simone Biles and producing numerous champions and Olympians. The Karolyis’ time as coaches coincided with the Larry Nassar scandal, and while they denied knowledge of his actions, the training center bearing their name was eventually shut down. Despite challenges faced by some gymnasts under Bela’s coaching, many still remembered him fondly as a mentor who offered encouragement and support. Comăneci and others paid tribute to him on social media, highlighting his impact on their lives and the sport of gymnastics.Overall, Bela Karolyi leaves behind a legacy of shaping the careers of numerous athletes in the world of gymnastics and the lasting impact he had on the sport.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com