More On The Moceanu-Karolyi Controversy

More has come out concerning the statements made by Olympic Champion Donimique Moceanu and her relationship with Bela and Marta Karolyi, in addition to the abuses they inflicted on Moceanu (and possibly other gymnasts).

The following comments from Moceanu were reported in story by Diane Pucin in the LA Times.

"I never, ever objected to hard work. What I objected to was Martha grabbing me by the neck, shoving my face into the phone and telling me to call my parents when I hurt my neck in practice. I objected to being told to jump onto a scale in front of the 1995 world championship team, of being forced to do 16 uneven bars routines in a row by Martha. I was completely embarrassed by Bela in front of the 2000 national training team at camp. He completely belittled me and my weight, singled me out and made me feel very small. It was unfair treatment. Martha's logic is so false but no one would listen to a 14-year-old. I was never allowed to speak out."

This is further testimony of how far the Karolyis will go to produce their desired results, in order to benefit themselves.

In another article in the LA Times, a comment was posted by a Dr. Gary Stanner. he is the owner and coach of the Eastern Oregon Gymnastics Academy in Pendonton, Oregon.

"Arm Chair Quarterbacks"? Hummm, I have Coached at some of the better clubs in the USA. (Not Karolyi's) but, NAAG with Dick Mulvihill, Los Altos Twisters with Kim Kludt. They have produced more Elite Gymnasts from scratch than Karolyi's has ever done. His record plainly shows that their sucess is far more from recruitment, than from development. Case in point is Mary Lou Renton. Already a national team member from Fairfax, VA. Rumor then was he called her up at home and she transfered to his program straight away. One can only guess at what she was told or offered. As for Nadia! She was so talented that almost anyone could have turned her into the champion that she was. She has earned every medal she has ever won. I am not claiming that she did not work hard to become the gymnasts that she has become. I am also not making any sort of personal attack on anyone, but this format enables us to make our opinions felt. I am not a disciple of the Karolyi Mystique, but I also have to admit that I was in awe of him the several times we have personally met at national and regional clinics. The point is: Is there a chance the American Gymnastics program would improve with out the Karolyi's? I think so. But if some of us that are still in the trenches coaching day in and day out think so, then it maybe it should happen. After all if we are wrong, we can always bring them back. No one is using a wooden stake or silver cross to get them to leave. One last thought. Would the gary writing here still be a active coach? And what level gymnasts has he produced? His only reference was that HE coached with the Karolyi's in the 80s" Just a thought..."

Dr. Stanner's comments support my distrust of the Karolyis. I have heard by many people how the Karolyis recruit "their" gymnasts and never actually train anyone from start to finish. I cannot go into how I came about this knowledge and my involvement or association with gymnastics, but rest assure many coaches feel they same way about the Karloyis. This is not anything they say in public. It is more whispers and discussions behind closed doors, due to the inevitable backlash I described in a previous post.

I think many parents would be outraged if a coach grabbed their daughter (or son) as Moceanu describes.

I repeat my statement from the earlier post: The Karolyis need to be removed from gymnastics. Texas Truth wants to lead the call to support Moceanu and her statements, in addition to calling for the removal of the Karolyis from any involvement in USA Gymnastics.

"I was forced out of the sport into retirement through injuries. I wasn't ready to leave." - Dominique Moceanu

Reaction to Dominique Moceanu on "HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel"

I watched "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO Tuesday night to see what Dominique Moceanu had to say about Marta and Bela Karolyi.

Much of what she said was already published in various media sources prior to the interview's airing.

However, her statements spoke volumes about the Marta and Bela Karolyi. I have long thought they were and are a blight on USA Gymnastics. Sure, they put together the "Magnificent 7" for the Atlanta Olympics. They won the team gold and numerous other medals. Many at the time praised what they had done. My question was, "Where was all the competition?" The USA were at that time and still are the most powerful sports country in the world. There is no doubt about that. They should have won, with or without the Karolyis at the helm. However the Karolyis' took the credit and the rest is history.

If they had faced tougher competition, how would they have done? No one can tell, but I do not think they were as dominate at some of the Soviet and Romanian teams of the 1960s to the 1980s. I am not trying to take away from what they did. They did a tremendous job, but how much of it was due to the Karolyis.

I remember a video clip of the 1984 Olympics after Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal in the All Around. Bela was not part of the USA coaching staff, but was seen bullying his way to the floor to congratulate Retton. He sort of pushed the USA coach out of the way and took over.

That clip right there solidified my opinion of Bela Karolyi. He is a bully. He pushes way in front of the camera and takes over. Look what he did with Kerry Shrug in 1996. A camera hog if I ever saw one.

Marta Karolyi had a reply for the Moceanu's accusations in HBO, but it was not much.

I feel sad that a gymnast as accomplished as Dominique can (only) remember the harder days during preparation. I feel sad because the preparation to become an Olympic champion is a longer road and not every single moment is an easy moment.

Marta was real good at playing the victim. I thought she would can out and deny the accusations. perhaps she and Bela are going to leave that to others. I think much more will come out on this as time goes on. The Karolyi's time has pasted and the damage they have done is enough.

Click here to view Dominique Moceanu's website and here for her blog. There are some interesting comments about all the accusations on both.

"People are hoping that there'll be change. If it was up to the athletes, it would have happened a long time ago." - Dominique Moceanu

Gymnastics Has 'Dark Side' and Karolyis are Part of the Problem

Dominique Moceanu, the youngest member of the "Magnificent Seven" team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics, is crying foul on USA Gymnastics.

The 26-year-old, who retired in 2000 with a knee injury, began a comeback in 2005 that ended when she failed to qualify for the 2006 national championships.

Two years later, in an interview with HBO Sports to air Tuesday (July 22), Moceanu says elite gymnastics has a "dark side" and that many close to the U.S. program, including current and former athletes, wish Bela Karolyi and his wife, Marta, were ousted from their leadership positions.

You can read the story here.


The truth is finally coming out about the Karolyis. Many in the gymnastics game know the truth about these two and are afraid to say anything, due to backlash.

The Karolyis want to produce champions, but only to further their own resume and power.

They should have been removed from competitive gymnastics in the USA long ago. Look for more on Bela and Marta Karolyi to come out, now that Moceanu has come forward.

"My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never.” - Bela Karolyi