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Bela Karolyi, the successful but controversial US gymnastics coach, has died at the age of 82 as tributes pour in from stars such as Romania's Nadia Comaneci, who claimed gold at the 1976 Olympics in Canada.
USA Gymnastics announced his death on Friday, November 15 but the cause was not stated by the body. Comaneci who paid tribute online, hailing him as a "big impact and influence on my life" after he helped guide her to eternal Olympian glory at just the age of 14.
The legendary coach defected from Hungary in the 1980s and immediately began to catapult the United States to the next level of competitiveness by training champions such as Mary Lou Retton, who took the all-around title at the age of 16 in Los Angeles.
Known for innovative coaching methods, Karolyi became the national team coordinator for the women's elite program in 1999 and pushed the USA to become the modern powerhouse she is in the sport, however, he only spent a year in the role.
He was married to Marta Eross, who assisted his coaching, and had one child named Andrea Wise.
Why was Bela Karolyi controversial?
Karolyi was known for his intense, highly disciplined coaching methods, which included demanding high levels of precision and physical fitness from his athletes. While this brought significant success, it also drew criticism from some former gymnasts and commentators for being overly strict and, at times, controversial.
He was also accused of creating an environment that led to the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal in the 2010s, during which the team doctor managed to assault countless young women and children.
Karolyi was said to have allowed this environment to foster by forging an oppressive culture that allowed Nassar's behavior to run unchecked for years, although some of his former colleagues defended him too.