On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, the US Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team snatched another team gold medal for USA, the second consecutive Olympics in a row where USA Women’s Artistic Gymnastics has won the team gold. The team is coached by Romanian-born US citizen, Martha Karolyi, and although Martha is officially the National Team Coordinator and no longer a coach, she is still widely considered one. Without a doubt, she has made long-lasting endeavors to get the US squad achieve the level of success they are at today. Looks like an immigrant was the one to make america great again – sorry Trump.
After winning gold on Tuesday, the group decided to name themselves the Final Five because they are the final group to be coached by the infamous Martha Karolyi. They are also the last US Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team to have 5 members, because the next olympic team will consist of only 4. Martha’s husband, Bela, is also a renowned olympic coach. The couple is famous for coaching notable gymnasts such as Nadia Comaneci, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Mary Lou Retton, and Kim Zmeskal. In earlier Olympics, they brought much pride to the nation of America with the many medals earned by their athletes. The US has always been a great contender in Women’s Gymnastics, but they have only won the team gold three times in olympic history: in 1996, in 2012, and yet again in 2016. The only common denominator of all three US olympic gold medals in the team sport of gymnastics are the Karolyis. Martha was the team’s head coach in 1996, their National Team Coordinator in 2012, and National Team Coordinator yet again in 2016. Although Bela formally retired in 1996 after the team won gold in Atlanta, he was and is still a prominent figure in the professional lives of the US Olympic Gymnastics Team.
The Karolyis have been an outstanding coaching duo for years, and in 1997 they got inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. However, their entry into olympic gymnastics came through their first protégé, Nadia Comaneci; the first gymnast ever to obtain a perfect score in the Olympics. The Karolyis started their coaching career in Romania, where they coached Nadia Comenaci from the mere age of 6. In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Bela would be named head coach of the Olympic Romanian team, with Comenaci as the star athlete. At these olympics in 1976, Romania made history as their team took the silver medal, and Comenaci arguably became the most iconic gymnast in Olympic history. At the time, Romania was under the regime of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, and the Karolyis clashed with Romanian officials often. In 1981, the Karolyis defected to America and sought political asylum.
The Karolyis eventually settled in Houston, Texas, and opened up their own club. The club had gained so much attraction, that by 1984, Bela attended the Los Angeles Olympics as the individual coach of all-around champion, Mary Lou Retton, and uneven bars gold medalist, Julianne McNamara. By 1988, he was named head coach of the US team at the Seoul Olympics. Because he had not yet completed the 5 year residency requirement to become a US citizen, two senators sponsored a bill and granted him early citizenship. In 1992, Bela was named head coach for America yet again. In 1996 however, Martha was the head coach, and America made national history as they scored their first team gold in gymnastics. This was also the year that captured the revolutionary moment of Kerri Strug sticking her landing on her second vault after injuring her ankle on the first one. After sticking it, Bela carried her to the podium to accept her gold medal, which became one of the most heartfelt and iconic moments of gymnastics history. In 1999, Bela was named the National Team Coordinator of the US Women’s Gymnastics Team. By 2001 however, the position was handed down to Martha over allegations of abusive coaching methods. Since 2001, Martha has held the position of National Team Coordinator, but 2016 will be her last year with the position, as she is due to retire after the duration of the Rio Olympics.
The Karolyis have without a doubt been one of the most prominent figures in Olympic Gymnastics throughout the years. Because of their countless efforts and supports, they have raised many Olympians, and brought home many gold medals for the US. They are just one of many examples of how immigrants have paved the road for success in America. In a country that was founded as a safe haven for foreigners, it’s silly and counterproductive to forget the importances that immigrants have made for this country. The rare diversity of America is something that should be embraced, not ignored. As an immigrant and a gymnast myself, I know that the contributions of Martha and Bela Karolyi have not only impacted the lives of young gymnasts, but have portrayed the importance of all that immigrants do for the great nation of America.
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