Bela Karolyi has died at age 82. The Romanian-born gymnastics coach, along with his wife Martha Karolyi, garnered international recognition for his role in turning Team USA women's gymnastics into the gold medal machine it is today.

Bela Karolyi, the legendary and controversial Romanian American gymnastics coach who helped lead Mary Lou Retton, Nadia Comaneci and Kerri Strug to Olympic gold, has died, USA Gymnastics announced. He was 82.

Bela Karolyi, the charismatic if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power, has died. He was 82. USA Gymnastics said Karolyi died Friday.