On Friday, November 15, 2024, the gymnastics world lost the man who paved the way for USA Women’s gymnastics dominance. Since the 1980s, Bela Karolyi and his wife Marta Karolyi helped create generations of champions. However, before entering the Hall of Fame in the USA, Karolyi came to prominence by helping his first prodigy, Nadia Comaneci, who irrespective of their differences, led her to glory.

Karolyi discovered the Romanian prodigy when she was just six years old and molded her into one of the greatest gymnasts to ever live. Training Comaneci since she was six, Karolyi helped the gymnasts script history at the 1976 Olympic Games. So after receiving the news that the man who propelled her to gymnastic royalty had passed away, Comaneci couldn’t help but pay tribute.

“A big impact and influence in my life. RIP Bela Karolyi,” wrote the 63-year-old gymnastics legend. The Norman, Oklahoma resident also shared some rare images of the man who helped her become the youngest Olympic all-around champion at just 14. The images capture the late coach personally teaching the then-teenager.

The first gymnast to earn a perfect 10 at the Olympics will forever be grateful to Karolyi even though their relationship turned bittersweet after their Olympic success. After leading her to nine Olympic medals, including five golds, Bela and Marta Karolyi left Romania for the USA. And while the renowned coaches embarked on a new chapter, Comanci retired just four years later.

Nadia Comaneci and Bela Karolyi maintained an amicable relationship despite the abrupt end to their relationship. However, later, the gymnastics icon opened up about her sometimes struggling to live up to her former coach’s expectations. In a 1990 interview ahead of the US Championship, the 63-year-old confessed to sometimes feeling apprehensive toward her coach’s instructions.

However, she also admitted how Bela Karolyi’s relentless pursuit of perfection helped create gymnastics history. “I have confidence in him. When he told me to do something and I knew that probably it’s not so good… he told me ‘If you do what I tell you it’ll be very good,'” said the gymnast. However, others have had stronger feelings towards the late coach.

The complicated legacy of the legendary gymnastics coach

The world saw Bela Karolyi’s unrelenting pursuit to see his pupils succeed at the 1996 Olympics. While the snapshot of Karolyi carrying an injured yet victorious Keri Strug has become iconic, it was Karolyi’s instance that helped Strug push through the pain. “Kerri, we need you to go one more time. We need you one more time for the gold,” urged Karolyi.

As Strug limped to her vault attempt, she and the magnificent seven, including other Hall of Famers such as Dominique Moceanu, captured Olympic gold for the USA. Today, the late gymnastics coach’s legacy remains complicated. While gymnasts such as Nadia Comaneci had nothing hard to say about the coach, Moceanu couldn’t help but mention the challenges she faced.

“I choose to send loving thoughts to his family and loved ones, honor our relationship,” Moceanu wrote on X. However, the 43-year-old also mentioned Karolyi’s “harsh” treatment during training. The coach who tirelessly pursued perfection hoped for nothing less from his students. For many gymnasts like Dominique Moceanu, it sometimes went too far.

The gymnastics coach’s legacy may forever remain complicated but gymnasts such as Nadia Comaneci and Kerri Strug will remember the Hall of Famer differently than those like Dominique Moceanu. However, none of them disagree that Karolyi helped shape some of the best gymnasts the world has ever seen.