Nov 17, (V7N) - Bela Karolyi, the renowned Olympic gymnastics coach who guided Nadia Comaneci to the sport’s first perfect 10 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, has passed away at the age of 82, according to USA Gymnastics. Karolyi, originally from Romania, was a pivotal figure in the world of gymnastics, shaping the careers of numerous athletes across multiple generations.

Karolyi coached Comaneci to gold at the 1976 Olympics, where the gymnast famously became the first in history to score a perfect 10 in the sport. This remarkable achievement is forever etched in gymnastics history, and Karolyi played a central role in Comaneci's success. Comaneci, reflecting on her coach's influence, expressed her gratitude and posted a tribute on Instagram, reminiscing about their shared journey and the lasting impact Karolyi had on her life and career.

"Almost 50 years ago he guided me to the historic performance of the First Perfect 10 in the Olympics... and that changed my life forever," Comaneci told USA Today.

After defecting to the United States in 1981 with his wife and fellow coach, Marta Karolyi, the couple became highly influential in the development of U.S. gymnastics. They later coached Mary Lou Retton to a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, further solidifying their legacy as two of the most powerful figures in the sport.

Karolyi, known for his strict coaching style and high expectations, ran a training center in Texas known as Karolyi Ranch, which became the official training center for the U.S. women’s national team in 2001. However, the center was no longer used by USA Gymnastics after 2018, following the abuse scandal involving former team doctor Larry Nassar.

While Karolyi’s legacy is marked by undeniable success, his coaching methods have been controversial. Dominique Moceanu, a gymnast who trained under Karolyi and won gold as part of the U.S. team in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, reflected on the complexity of their relationship. Moceanu acknowledged Karolyi's significant impact on her life and the sport, noting both the strengths and flaws that defined him. "His harsh words and critical demeanor often weighed heavily on me," Moceanu wrote. "Some of these moments of hardship helped me forge and define my own path."

Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, Karolyi’s influence on gymnastics is undeniable, and his contributions to the sport have been recognized through various honors, including his induction into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 and the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2000 alongside Marta.

As the gymnastics community reflects on his life and legacy, Bela Karolyi is remembered as a figure who shaped the history of the sport, inspiring both athletes and coaches alike.

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