Olympic coach Bela Karolyi, known for his controversial methods, passes away at 82.

Famed gymnastics coach, Bela Karolyi, known for his charisma and controversial coaching methods, has passed away at the age of 82. The news of his death was confirmed by USA Gymnastics on Friday, though no cause was given.

Karolyi and his wife Martha were a powerhouse coaching duo, known for training multiple Olympic gold medalists and world champions in both the United States and their home country of Romania. Among their most notable students were Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton, who both achieved Olympic glory under Karolyi's guidance.

Comaneci, who was only 14 when she won gold for Romania at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, took to Instagram to pay tribute to her former coach, saying, "He had a big impact and influence on my life." Retton, who famously won the all-around title at the 1984 Olympics at just 16 years old, also credited Karolyi for her success.

The Karolyis defected to the United States in 1981 and quickly became a driving force in American gymnastics. Bela's most memorable moment came at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, when he helped an injured Kerri Strug off the floor after her vault secured the team gold for the Americans. This iconic moment solidified the Karolyis' place in American gymnastics history.

In 1999, Karolyi became the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics women's elite program and implemented a semi-centralized system that elevated the American team to the top of the sport. However, his coaching methods were not without controversy, and he was ultimately pushed out after the 2000 Olympics when several athletes spoke out against him.

This was not the first time Karolyi faced accusations of pushing his athletes too far both physically and mentally. During the height of the Larry Nassar scandal in the late 2010s, over a dozen former gymnasts came forward, claiming that the Karolyis were part of a system that allowed Nassar's abuse to go unchecked for years.

Despite these accusations, some of Karolyi's most famous students remained loyal to him. When Strug got married, she and Karolyi recreated their iconic moment from the 1996 Olympics, with him carrying her onto the podium after she vaulted on a badly injured ankle.

Bela Karolyi's legacy in the world of gymnastics is undeniable, as is the impact he had on the lives of his students. While his coaching methods may have been controversial, there is no denying the success he brought to the sport and the lasting memories he created for athletes and fans alike.

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