Béla Károlyi is dead

Controversial coach Béla Károlyi has died, age-82.

One Romanian site says he was living in Huntsville, Texas at the time.

In my opinion, Béla was no technical coach, but a great motivator and promoter.

Without question, he helped popularize Artistic Gymnastics around the world, personal coach to two Olympic champions.

Many of those who knew him best had mixed feelings.

I felt his training methodology was unscientific. Unsafe.

Márta was somewhat better — but in the early 2000s, still required kids to do 10 routines / day immediately before competition. Dumb. Dangerous.

Worst of all, Károlyi success in the USA motivated Steve Nunno and others to emulate harsh coaching.

Márta Károlyi remained the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics until 2016.

In 2024, we are far better off with elite American leaders like Alicia Sacramone Quinn and Chellsie Memmel.

“I Have Made Their Lives Miserable”

That’s what famed gymnastics teacher Bela Karolyi says about the rival coaches who criticize his ruthless methods—but he could say the same about the girls he is training to become Olympic champions.

Olympic Artistic Swimming

Twin sisters seem to excel in Artistic Swimming.

Artistic swimming (formerly called synchronized swimming) in Paris had total of 96 athletes competing in two medal events, namely the women’s duet and the mixed team.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

standing Double Back

A great progression for improving HOW to get a Double Salto around when you — later — have slow rotation in training or competition.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Eythora = Artistry

Artistry is so poorly defined that I’m guessing judges are told:

Eythora = artistry. 😀

Watch a dance through at Worlds podium training.