At 82 years old, Bela Karolyi, the coach who transformed USA Gymnastics into a global powerhouse, passes away.

Bela Karolyi, a legendary gymnastics coach, passed away at age 82, as confirmed by USA Gymnastics. Karolyi, along with his wife Márta, played a significant role in building USA Gymnastics into an international powerhouse from the 1980s to the 2010s. They helped launch the careers of notable gymnasts such as Mary Lou Retton, Dominique Dawes, and Kim Zmeskal. Retton, the first American woman to win an Olympic individual all-around gold, credited Karolyi for motivating her to success. The couple defected from Romania in 1981 and set up a gym in Houston, Texas, where they trained aspiring gymnasts for international competitions. Bela served as the national team coordinator before stepping down in 2001, with Márta taking over until her retirement in 2016. Their influence on the sport spanned decades and included working with athletes like Simone Biles. Bela’s impact on gymnastics was acknowledged by Nadia Comăneci, who described him as a significant influence in her life. The news of Karolyi’s passing marks the end of an era in gymnastics history, with many in the sport recognizing his lasting contributions.

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