Nadia Comaneci's Coach, Bela Karolyi, Dies at 86

Romanian Gymnastics Legend Bela Karolyi, who coached Nadia Comaneci to Olympic glory, has died at the age of 86.

Karolyi, who was born in Cluj, Romania, in 1942, began coaching gymnastics at the age of 22.

He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative training methods and strict discipline.

In 1968, Karolyi was appointed coach of the Romanian national gymnastics team.

Under his leadership, the team won numerous medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships.

Karolyi's most famous pupil was Nadia Comaneci, who became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games in 1976.

Karolyi also coached other Romanian gymnasts to Olympic success, including Ecaterina Szabo, Daniela Silivas, and Teodora Ungureanu.

In 1981, Karolyi and his wife, Marta, defected to the United States.

They continued to coach gymnastics in the US, and they helped to train many successful gymnasts, including Dominique Dawes, Kerri Strug, and Carly Patterson.

Karolyi was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.

He was also awarded the Order of the Star of Romania, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Romanian citizen.

Karolyi died on September 29, 2021, at the age of 86.

He is survived by his wife, Marta, and their two children, Andrea and Richard.