Bela Karolyi, a prominent gymnastics coach in the United States, has passed away at age 82. Alongside his wife Márta, Karolyi was instrumental in building USA Gymnastics into an international powerhouse from the 1980s to the 2010s. They played a key role in the success of gymnasts like Nadia Comăneci, Dominique Dawes, Phoebe Mills, Betty Okino, Kerri Strug, Mary Lou Retton, and Kim Zmeskal.
Retton, the first American woman to win an Olympic individual all-round gold, credits the Karolyis for helping her achieve success in the sport. The couple defected from Romania in 1981 and settled in Houston, where they established a gym that attracted top American talent. Bela served as national team coordinator, while Márta took over the role until her retirement in 2016.
Their influence extended to gymnasts like Simone Biles, highlighting the impact the Karolyis had on the sport. Comăneci, a former gymnastics star, expressed her condolences on social media, emphasizing the profound impact Bela had on her life. The legacy of Bela Karolyi will continue to be felt in the gymnastics world, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered by many in the years to come.
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