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Gymnastics Coach Bela Karolyi, Who Courted Controversy, Dies at 82

Nov 17, 2024, 01:14 AM

Bela Karolyi, the renowned gymnastics coach who mentored Olympic champions Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton, has died at the age of 82. Karolyi, who established a gym in the Houston area, was a significant figure in the world of gymnastics, training multiple Olympic gold medalists and world champions. Despite his success, Karolyi's career courted controversy. He and his wife faced allegations of abusive behavior towards young athletes, with some describing him as a malign influence on the sport.