Bela Karolyi

Celebrity

  • Birth Name: Bela Karolyi
  • Birth Place: Cluj, Romania
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 09/13/1942, Virgo
  • Profession: Gymnastics coach
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Bela Karolyi Fast Facts:
  • Ran the Romanian women's gymnastics program from the late 1960s through the 1970s.
  • In 1976, was the coach for Nadia Comaneci, who scored the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics on the way to the all-around gold medal.
  • After disagreements with Romanian officials, he and his wife defected to the U.S. in 1981.
  • Became partners in a gym in Houston, which he eventually bought and turned into a gymnastics camp.
  • At the 1984 Olympics, was the coach of all-round gold medalist Mary Lou Retton and uneven bars gold medalist Julianne McNamara.
  • Was named women's head coach at the '88 Games, after a bill passed through Congress to make him a U.S. citizen prior to a five-year residency requirement.
  • Coached the '92 team, and the '96 team that won the gold medal and was known as "The Magnificent Seven." Carried Kerri Strug to the podium after her gold-medal-winning vault.
  • Was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
  • Retired from coaching, he was named National Team Coordinator in 2000, a title later give to his wife Marta in 2001.
  • Served as a guest commentator for gymnastics in NBC 2008 Olympic coverage.
  • Bela Karolyi Relationships:
  • Marta Karolyi - Wife
  • Andrea - Daughter
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