Bela Karolyi Biography

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