Wednesday, August 25, 2004
FROM ATHENS (INTERNATIONAL GYMNAST)
By Dominique Moceanu
Following a tumultuous flight from New York City and an emergency landing in Shannon, Ireland (all thanks to a disgruntled passenger), my lovely mother and I arrived at our literal, and figurative, destination; Athens!
With enthusiasm we disembarked upon the genesis of the Olympic Games. Our voyage carried added worth, as it allowed me to sense the strength of my Greek/Macedonian ancestry for the first time, all the while taking part in the grandest celebration on the globe. The rich tradition, the Olympic spirit, and the unmatched Greek pride made for an extraordinary journey. I managed to make the Indoor Coliseum my "second home," and it is where I was captivated by more than a few individuals.
I hope you enjoy My Top 10.0 List.
#10 The security in Greece: These individuals must be commended for their efforts to make Greece feel like the most protected spot on Earth during The XXVIII Olympiad.
#9 Juri Chechi: The Italian megastar, and the modern "Lord of the Rings" delivered solid performances on his most well-known event. His presence was felt through the support of the Italian fans, and it was clear to see why he was chosen for the honor of carrying his country's flag during The
Opening Ceremony.
#8 The Japanese Men's Team: Like the Romanian women, this team won due to the blend of camaraderie, style, and consistency. The Japanese men exhibited the characteristic elegance that brought Japan multiple Olympic Team Championships in the past.
#7 Courtney McCool: While much of the attention was directed toward her Olympic All-Around Champion teammate, Carly Patterson, many allowed McCool to slip from their sight; however, I observed McCool quite closely as she tirelessly supported her teammates throughout the team and event finals. I was curious as to how she must have felt knowing that she could have earned several individual medals, some of which could have been gold. She displayed no signs of self-pity, and I greatly respect her. Her actions were a testament to her character.
#6 Dimosthenis Tampakos: Whether you agreed with the judges or not, Tampakos "tore the roof off" of the Indoor Coliseum. Following several days of mediocre crowds and unfilled seats, Tampakos brought the Greeks in droves, and filled the arena with chants of "Hellas, Hellas, Hellas!" turning the bare seats into a sea of blue and white.
#5 Morgan and Paul Hamm: They emerged from these Olympic Games as leaders of Team USA, just as they had arrived in Sydney. There are obvious differences from 2000, but the bottom line is that they lead the U.S. Men in typical Hamm fashion. If there were any questions about there
leadership, they are now answered. The Hamms are the true leaders of the U.S. Men. The Men's program no longer needs to search for "the leadership" that they had so strongly emphasized throughout the team selection process. Any way you cut it, Paul Hamm's comeback during the all-around final, was remarkable. I hope that he is able to sift through the hype to pull the positives from this experience, because he showed the world that he is a complete gymnast.
#4 Mohini Bhardwaj: With Pamela Anderson thousands of miles away and the commotion of the U.S. Olympic Team Selection behind her, Bhardwaj showed all of us why she was appointed as the Women's Team Captain. Her refreshing gymnastics and consistency as a "table-setter" served as the backbone for Team USA's silver medal. As the sole representative for Team USA in the floor final, as an all-around competitor in the team preliminaries, as well as a last minute substitute on beam in the team final, she quietly paraded her mental toughness and proved that she was not solely a vaulting specialist.
#3 Catalina Ponor: This young WOMAN had "the total package". Ponor possesses grace, poise, and beauty, and I have not described her gymnastics yet! She combines a dash of Nadia with a sprinkle of Boginskaya, a pinch of Milosovici and a touch of her own distinctive elements to make her a special breed of Romanian gymnast. Her striking double gold medal performance during the second day of the event final was strikingly appropriate.
#2 Svetlana Khorkina: Unfortunately often misinterpreted and more frequently misunderstood, gymnastics diva kissed her Olympic theater "goodbye". Her draping of the uneven bars with the Russian flag is an image that will be etched into my memory for the reason that it carries so much meaning. It is hard to imagine a European, World, or Olympic Championship without her. Her impact will only be truly felt as time moves further from August of 2004.
#1 The Romanian Women's Team: The closest team won The Olympic Team Title. Alexandra, Catalina, Daniela, Monica, Oana, and Silvia competed as a family, and displayed their adaptability by defending their Olympic Team Championship under a VERY new set of rules. It was reviving to hear
their petite frames blaring "Haide!" (the equivalent to "Come on!"). It was a pleasure to witness them bring the team gold medal back to their country in such classic fashion. This team makes it easy to understand why gymnasts are the pride of Romania,
By Dominique Moceanu
Following a tumultuous flight from New York City and an emergency landing in Shannon, Ireland (all thanks to a disgruntled passenger), my lovely mother and I arrived at our literal, and figurative, destination; Athens!
With enthusiasm we disembarked upon the genesis of the Olympic Games. Our voyage carried added worth, as it allowed me to sense the strength of my Greek/Macedonian ancestry for the first time, all the while taking part in the grandest celebration on the globe. The rich tradition, the Olympic spirit, and the unmatched Greek pride made for an extraordinary journey. I managed to make the Indoor Coliseum my "second home," and it is where I was captivated by more than a few individuals.
I hope you enjoy My Top 10.0 List.
#10 The security in Greece: These individuals must be commended for their efforts to make Greece feel like the most protected spot on Earth during The XXVIII Olympiad.
#9 Juri Chechi: The Italian megastar, and the modern "Lord of the Rings" delivered solid performances on his most well-known event. His presence was felt through the support of the Italian fans, and it was clear to see why he was chosen for the honor of carrying his country's flag during The
Opening Ceremony.
#8 The Japanese Men's Team: Like the Romanian women, this team won due to the blend of camaraderie, style, and consistency. The Japanese men exhibited the characteristic elegance that brought Japan multiple Olympic Team Championships in the past.
#7 Courtney McCool: While much of the attention was directed toward her Olympic All-Around Champion teammate, Carly Patterson, many allowed McCool to slip from their sight; however, I observed McCool quite closely as she tirelessly supported her teammates throughout the team and event finals. I was curious as to how she must have felt knowing that she could have earned several individual medals, some of which could have been gold. She displayed no signs of self-pity, and I greatly respect her. Her actions were a testament to her character.
#6 Dimosthenis Tampakos: Whether you agreed with the judges or not, Tampakos "tore the roof off" of the Indoor Coliseum. Following several days of mediocre crowds and unfilled seats, Tampakos brought the Greeks in droves, and filled the arena with chants of "Hellas, Hellas, Hellas!" turning the bare seats into a sea of blue and white.
#5 Morgan and Paul Hamm: They emerged from these Olympic Games as leaders of Team USA, just as they had arrived in Sydney. There are obvious differences from 2000, but the bottom line is that they lead the U.S. Men in typical Hamm fashion. If there were any questions about there
leadership, they are now answered. The Hamms are the true leaders of the U.S. Men. The Men's program no longer needs to search for "the leadership" that they had so strongly emphasized throughout the team selection process. Any way you cut it, Paul Hamm's comeback during the all-around final, was remarkable. I hope that he is able to sift through the hype to pull the positives from this experience, because he showed the world that he is a complete gymnast.
#4 Mohini Bhardwaj: With Pamela Anderson thousands of miles away and the commotion of the U.S. Olympic Team Selection behind her, Bhardwaj showed all of us why she was appointed as the Women's Team Captain. Her refreshing gymnastics and consistency as a "table-setter" served as the backbone for Team USA's silver medal. As the sole representative for Team USA in the floor final, as an all-around competitor in the team preliminaries, as well as a last minute substitute on beam in the team final, she quietly paraded her mental toughness and proved that she was not solely a vaulting specialist.
#3 Catalina Ponor: This young WOMAN had "the total package". Ponor possesses grace, poise, and beauty, and I have not described her gymnastics yet! She combines a dash of Nadia with a sprinkle of Boginskaya, a pinch of Milosovici and a touch of her own distinctive elements to make her a special breed of Romanian gymnast. Her striking double gold medal performance during the second day of the event final was strikingly appropriate.
#2 Svetlana Khorkina: Unfortunately often misinterpreted and more frequently misunderstood, gymnastics diva kissed her Olympic theater "goodbye". Her draping of the uneven bars with the Russian flag is an image that will be etched into my memory for the reason that it carries so much meaning. It is hard to imagine a European, World, or Olympic Championship without her. Her impact will only be truly felt as time moves further from August of 2004.
#1 The Romanian Women's Team: The closest team won The Olympic Team Title. Alexandra, Catalina, Daniela, Monica, Oana, and Silvia competed as a family, and displayed their adaptability by defending their Olympic Team Championship under a VERY new set of rules. It was reviving to hear
their petite frames blaring "Haide!" (the equivalent to "Come on!"). It was a pleasure to witness them bring the team gold medal back to their country in such classic fashion. This team makes it easy to understand why gymnasts are the pride of Romania,
Friday, August 20, 2004
ROCK & ROLL GYMNASTICS (THE NORWICH BULLETIN)
Some of this year's Olympic medalists will visit Mohegan Sun Aug. 31 as part of the Rock 'N' Roll Gymnastics Championship Tour.
Paul Hamm, who won the all-around gold medal Wednesday, headlines the tour. Other male gymnasts scheduled to appear include silver medalist Blaine Wilson and Hamm's twin brother, Morgan.
The women will be represented as well, with current world all-around champion Svetlana Khorkina, 1996 gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and American champion Shannon Miller.
The show combines gymnastics with DJs spinning pop tunes. Celebrity judges will preside at each tour stop.
Pop star JoJo is performing during most of the tour stops, but the teen sensation won't be at the Mohegan Sun show.
Tickets are $40 and $30 and are on sale at the Mohegan Sun box office, online at www.tickets.com or by calling 1-800-477-6849.
Some of this year's Olympic medalists will visit Mohegan Sun Aug. 31 as part of the Rock 'N' Roll Gymnastics Championship Tour.
Paul Hamm, who won the all-around gold medal Wednesday, headlines the tour. Other male gymnasts scheduled to appear include silver medalist Blaine Wilson and Hamm's twin brother, Morgan.
The women will be represented as well, with current world all-around champion Svetlana Khorkina, 1996 gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and American champion Shannon Miller.
The show combines gymnastics with DJs spinning pop tunes. Celebrity judges will preside at each tour stop.
Pop star JoJo is performing during most of the tour stops, but the teen sensation won't be at the Mohegan Sun show.
Tickets are $40 and $30 and are on sale at the Mohegan Sun box office, online at www.tickets.com or by calling 1-800-477-6849.
CAPSULES FOR GYMNASTICS (DALLAS MORNING NEWS)
By Cathy Harasta
(KRT) - Carly Patterson, 16, of Allen, Texas, might join the biggest names in U.S. women's gymnastics history if she has a great Games in Athens. Here are some historical highlights and gymnasts whose names come up often when the sport is mentioned:
Mary Lou Retton: She charmed sports fans everywhere when, at 16, she posted 10s in floor exercise and vault on the way to the 1984 Olympic all-around gold medal - the first for an American. She also has thrived as a public speaker and gymnastics ambassador.
Shannon Miller: She remains the most decorated U.S. gymnast with seven Olympic and nine world championship medals. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, she became the first American to win an Olympic balance beam championship.
Dominique Moceanu: At 14, she was the youngest member of the 1996 Olympic champion team in Atlanta. International rules now require a female gymnast to be 16 or older in the Olympic year to be eligible for the Games.
Cathy Rigby: She became the first from the United States to win an individual medal at a world championships when she captured the balance beam silver medal in 1970. She went on to a theater career, with a long run as Peter Pan.
Kim Zmeskal-Burdette: She became the first all-around world champion from the United States in 1991, when she also won a world floor exercise bronze medal. She coaches at her Coppell gym, Texas Dreams at EveryBody Fits.
By Cathy Harasta
(KRT) - Carly Patterson, 16, of Allen, Texas, might join the biggest names in U.S. women's gymnastics history if she has a great Games in Athens. Here are some historical highlights and gymnasts whose names come up often when the sport is mentioned:
Mary Lou Retton: She charmed sports fans everywhere when, at 16, she posted 10s in floor exercise and vault on the way to the 1984 Olympic all-around gold medal - the first for an American. She also has thrived as a public speaker and gymnastics ambassador.
Shannon Miller: She remains the most decorated U.S. gymnast with seven Olympic and nine world championship medals. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, she became the first American to win an Olympic balance beam championship.
Dominique Moceanu: At 14, she was the youngest member of the 1996 Olympic champion team in Atlanta. International rules now require a female gymnast to be 16 or older in the Olympic year to be eligible for the Games.
Cathy Rigby: She became the first from the United States to win an individual medal at a world championships when she captured the balance beam silver medal in 1970. She went on to a theater career, with a long run as Peter Pan.
Kim Zmeskal-Burdette: She became the first all-around world champion from the United States in 1991, when she also won a world floor exercise bronze medal. She coaches at her Coppell gym, Texas Dreams at EveryBody Fits.
JOJO TO TOUR WITH OLYMPIC GYMNASTS (MTV NEWS)
Diminutive singer JoJo is about to hit the road with some similarly sized talent: the 2004 Olympic gymnasts.
The 13-year-old "America's Most Talented Kid" vet will host the 2004 Rock & Roll Gymnastics Championships Tour, which hits arenas in major U.S. cities early this fall and combines competitions with pop production.
"Being able to perform with the Olympic athletes is an amazing opportunity," JoJo said. "The marriage between great music and sport will make for an unbelievable show."
At each venue, JoJo will take the stage to belt out her hit single "Leave (Get Out)" as well as other tracks from her debut self-titled album.
Olympic silver and bronze medal-winning gymnasts from the 2004 Olympic Games, along with other champion gymnasts, will up the athletic ante by performing floor routines to the accompaniment of pop songs.
As-yet-unannounced celebrity judges will appear at the arena shows to rate the gymnasts on the entertainment aspects of their routine, as well as the athletic performance.
Headlining the men's competition will be U.S. Olympians Paul Hamm; his twin brother, Morgan Hamm; and Blaine Wilson. The women's group will be fronted by three-time world all-around champion Svetlana Khorkina, who will be joined by Shannon Miller and Dominique Moceanu.
Additional gymnasts will be added to the tour as Olympic results come in.
2004 Rock & Roll Gymnastics Championships Tour dates, according to tour producers Inversion Entertainment:
9/9 - Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
9/11 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mellon Arena
9/17 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
9/18 - Detroit, MI @ Palace at Auburn Hills
9/19 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
9/21 - Kansas City, MO @ Kemper Arena
9/23 - Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center
9/24 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
9/30 - Phoenix, AZ @ Glendale Arena
10/2 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
10/3 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Live Center
Diminutive singer JoJo is about to hit the road with some similarly sized talent: the 2004 Olympic gymnasts.
The 13-year-old "America's Most Talented Kid" vet will host the 2004 Rock & Roll Gymnastics Championships Tour, which hits arenas in major U.S. cities early this fall and combines competitions with pop production.
"Being able to perform with the Olympic athletes is an amazing opportunity," JoJo said. "The marriage between great music and sport will make for an unbelievable show."
At each venue, JoJo will take the stage to belt out her hit single "Leave (Get Out)" as well as other tracks from her debut self-titled album.
Olympic silver and bronze medal-winning gymnasts from the 2004 Olympic Games, along with other champion gymnasts, will up the athletic ante by performing floor routines to the accompaniment of pop songs.
As-yet-unannounced celebrity judges will appear at the arena shows to rate the gymnasts on the entertainment aspects of their routine, as well as the athletic performance.
Headlining the men's competition will be U.S. Olympians Paul Hamm; his twin brother, Morgan Hamm; and Blaine Wilson. The women's group will be fronted by three-time world all-around champion Svetlana Khorkina, who will be joined by Shannon Miller and Dominique Moceanu.
Additional gymnasts will be added to the tour as Olympic results come in.
2004 Rock & Roll Gymnastics Championships Tour dates, according to tour producers Inversion Entertainment:
Friday, August 13, 2004
KIDS AWAIT GYMNASTICS (THE REPUBLICAN)
Participants in the U.S. Gymnastics Training Centers camp are looking forward to the Olympics.
By Ted Ribeiro
SOUTH HADLEY - Dominique Moceanu was only eight years old when she first began to dream of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
It's doubtful that any of the 7 to 18 year-old gymnasts participating in the U.S. Gymnastics Training Centers camp at Mount Holyoke College will ever fulfill that goal, but most are eagerly awaiting this month's summer games in Athens just the same.
The summer games got underway Wednesday with men's and women's soccer, but the opening ceremonies are set for today. Gymnastics and swimming, two of the more popular Olympic sports, begin tomorrow and run through next week.
Moceanu, a 1996 Olympian, and Dmitri Bilozerchev, a three-time Olympic gold medal winner, were the featured instructors at the camp, which attracts mostly beginning and intermediate level gymnasts from all over the United States.
Moceanu, who was 14 when she helped the U.S. squad to a gold medal, will soon be heading to Athens as an athlete ambassador for Sports Illustrated.
Meanwhile, she's passing on her love for the Games to the young children at the camp.
"I'm getting everyone excited," Moceanu said. "I always get excited when the Olympics roll around, so I try to get the young ones excited too. The spirit of the Olympics is amazing, and there's a lot of history, and I like to educate these kids about it. I want them to get involved to watch and learn, so they can love what they watch."
Jesse Jablin of New Jersey had no problem picking out what she liked most about the Olympic Games. "I like to watch the girls that I like stick stuff," said the 9-year-old in reference to a gymnast who has a perfect landing on a vault, or dismount. "I also like figure skating, I think it's like gymnastics on ice."
Kat Chamberlain of Greenfield looks forward to seeing the gymnastics floor exercise, but said she will also watch volleyball and soccer, while Katie Levenger, also of Greenmailed, just likes to see cool tricks.
"You get the watch people do all these tricks, and it's good motivation to work to get up to that level," Levenger said. "I'll watch diving, but it's hard to go from someone doing five flips in the air to someone running around a track. It's not equal."
Daisy Whitcombskelcon of Montague said she will watch gymnastics and swimming.
"I like to watch because I get to see all these people that I've heard off, and I get to see their routines. Sometimes I'll watching swimming with my sister, because she's a swimmer."
Bilozerchev has fond memories of his Olympic experience, and why not, having won three gold medals - including individual gold in the pommel horse and still rings - in 1988.
"I was 15 or 16 when I started trying for the Olympics," said Bilozerchev, who had his legs shattered in 42 places in a car accident three years before the 1988 games in Calgary. "It's a great and interesting sport. People like gymnastics, but in Olympic years, it always seems like people are more excited."
Moceanu likes to relate her experience to her campers, but admits that many are too young to remember the Atlanta games.
"A lot of kids ask me all sorts of different questions, and we sit down and do a Q&A (question and answer) session and it's fun. Some of the kids are really interested in the Olympics, and some are here to have a good time."
Participants in the U.S. Gymnastics Training Centers camp are looking forward to the Olympics.
By Ted Ribeiro
SOUTH HADLEY - Dominique Moceanu was only eight years old when she first began to dream of becoming an Olympic gymnast.
It's doubtful that any of the 7 to 18 year-old gymnasts participating in the U.S. Gymnastics Training Centers camp at Mount Holyoke College will ever fulfill that goal, but most are eagerly awaiting this month's summer games in Athens just the same.
The summer games got underway Wednesday with men's and women's soccer, but the opening ceremonies are set for today. Gymnastics and swimming, two of the more popular Olympic sports, begin tomorrow and run through next week.
Moceanu, a 1996 Olympian, and Dmitri Bilozerchev, a three-time Olympic gold medal winner, were the featured instructors at the camp, which attracts mostly beginning and intermediate level gymnasts from all over the United States.
Moceanu, who was 14 when she helped the U.S. squad to a gold medal, will soon be heading to Athens as an athlete ambassador for Sports Illustrated.
Meanwhile, she's passing on her love for the Games to the young children at the camp.
"I'm getting everyone excited," Moceanu said. "I always get excited when the Olympics roll around, so I try to get the young ones excited too. The spirit of the Olympics is amazing, and there's a lot of history, and I like to educate these kids about it. I want them to get involved to watch and learn, so they can love what they watch."
Jesse Jablin of New Jersey had no problem picking out what she liked most about the Olympic Games. "I like to watch the girls that I like stick stuff," said the 9-year-old in reference to a gymnast who has a perfect landing on a vault, or dismount. "I also like figure skating, I think it's like gymnastics on ice."
Kat Chamberlain of Greenfield looks forward to seeing the gymnastics floor exercise, but said she will also watch volleyball and soccer, while Katie Levenger, also of Greenmailed, just likes to see cool tricks.
"You get the watch people do all these tricks, and it's good motivation to work to get up to that level," Levenger said. "I'll watch diving, but it's hard to go from someone doing five flips in the air to someone running around a track. It's not equal."
Daisy Whitcombskelcon of Montague said she will watch gymnastics and swimming.
"I like to watch because I get to see all these people that I've heard off, and I get to see their routines. Sometimes I'll watching swimming with my sister, because she's a swimmer."
Bilozerchev has fond memories of his Olympic experience, and why not, having won three gold medals - including individual gold in the pommel horse and still rings - in 1988.
"I was 15 or 16 when I started trying for the Olympics," said Bilozerchev, who had his legs shattered in 42 places in a car accident three years before the 1988 games in Calgary. "It's a great and interesting sport. People like gymnastics, but in Olympic years, it always seems like people are more excited."
Moceanu likes to relate her experience to her campers, but admits that many are too young to remember the Atlanta games.
"A lot of kids ask me all sorts of different questions, and we sit down and do a Q&A (question and answer) session and it's fun. Some of the kids are really interested in the Olympics, and some are here to have a good time."
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
NOW ITS MARTHA KAROLYI LEADING THE CHARGE (HOUSTON CHRONICLE)
By David Barron
NEW WAVERLY -- Paul Wise has been around gymnasts and gymnastics since 1992, when he began dating Andrea Karolyi, the only child of Bela and Martha Karolyi. Paul and Andrea were married in 1998, and they assist the Karolyis at the family's ranch and gymnastics camp in the Sam Houston National Forest north of Houston.
In both roles, as son-in-law and employee, Wise has had a front-row seat for a remarkable transformation that has, in turn, transformed the USA Gymnastics women's program.
"It's the funniest thing," he said. "Every year at the camps, the girls would see Andrea and say, `Oh, look. There's Bela's daughter.'
"Now they say, `Oh, look. There's Martha's daughter.' "
Such a simple change, but one fraught with tremendous significance for the United States' medal hopes at the 2004 Athens Olympics and for the internal harmony of a sport too often prone to jealousy and fractious infighting.
Those battles are, for the most part, a thing of the past. And a large measure of the credit goes to the quiet, dark-eyed woman with the bright smile and steely gaze who after 30 years in the background is the most visible figure in one of the Games' most visible sports.
Three months after the U.S. team's disappointing fourth-place finish in Sydney, Martha Karolyi succeeded her husband in January 2001 as national team coordinator. Since 2002, the U.S. women have not lost a major international competition, including the 2003 world championships, and they are prohibitive favorites to win the team gold medal in Athens.
"Finally she is able to get that recognition, and that has been exciting for her and for us as a family," Andrea Wise said. "All the kids see her and say, `Wow, it's Martha.' ... It's her turn to show that she's as knowledgeable as my dad when it comes to coaching."
It's been quite a revelation, but not for knowledgeable insiders such as the Karolyis' first outstanding pupil, five-time Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci. Or their first American star, 1984 all-around gold medalist Mary Lou Retton. Or Bela Karolyi himself.
"She was always the one who was taking care of the everyday schedules, and I was promoting them in front of the audience," Bela Karolyi said. "She is now on her own, and she gets the credit for what has happened. And I am so pleased."
Said Retton: "Twenty-five years ago, in my day, Martha was everything. Bela was the showman and the promoter, but he would have been a lost puppy without Martha.
"He was in there motivating us, but Martha was the one who had the schedule. She knew that she would be on balance beam for 45 minutes and then would do conditioning. She has been the rock, and that is why they have worked together so well."
Most importantly, Martha has in spades the one element Bela Karolyi has lacked -- the gentle art of tact and diplomacy.
"He is more direct," she said, laughing heartily. "Maybe I have a little more patience ... but I also have the same expectations. Maybe I can present them a little bit smoother."
Humble beginnings
The Karolyis have been the first couple of world gymnastics since the mid-1970s. Martha, the daughter of a bank vice president and a schoolteacher, was a high school gymnast before she met Bela while both attended Romania's national sports college.
After they graduated and were married, they moved to the coal mining town of Onesti, where they prepared to implement the radical coaching plans they developed in college.
"We selected extremely young children who we believed had the ability to become strong gymnasts if you gave them good, long periods of development," Martha said. "It was a little controversial because it was a big change. I started gymnastics when I was 13, and now we were working with girls who were 6 and 7."
One of them was Comaneci, 6, whom Martha Karolyi spotted while choreographing a kindergarten play. Comaneci went on to win three gold medals at the 1976 Olympics, scoring a series of perfect 10.0 routines, and also won the all-around silver at the 1980 Games.
"The most important thing about Martha is that she was a woman," Comaneci said. "Being women, there are some things we can't talk to the guys about -- the little things that matter. She was always there to listen."
Despite their success, the Karolyis fell out of favor with the Romanian government when Bela criticized the judging during the 1980 Moscow Olympics. They defected to New York in March 1981, leaving daughter Andrea, who was 7, with relatives in Romania.
"We were happy and successful (in Romania), but we thought we would like to come to a place with more democracy and more freedom, where work and talent is appreciated," Martha Karolyi said.
Bela Karolyi was working as a painter at Los Angeles International Airport when he spotted gymnast Bart Conner, whom he met in the mid-1970s, walking through the airport. Conner got him in touch with his coach, Paul Ziert, now the publisher of International Gymnast magazine, and the Karolyis moved to Houston to work at a gym near FM 1960.
"We realized the only way to get our program going and to make it successful was to own the gym," Martha Karolyi said. "We had to have the right to organize things, not have somebody telling us what to do. In a year, we were able to get a loan and buy the gym."
In the meantime, with the help of Rep. Bill Archer of Houston, they were able to arrange for Andrea, who was living with an aunt, to join them in the United States. The family learned English from Andrea's second-grade textbooks and from Sesame Street and other children's TV shows.
Ups and downs
In less than two years after moving to the United States, the Karolyis built one of the nation's best elite programs. Diane Durham won the national all-around title in 1983, and Retton and Julianne McNamara won national titles in 1984 en route to spots on that year's Olympic team.
The Karolyis produced two more Olympians in 1988 (Phoebe Mills and Chelle Stack), three in 1992 (Betty Okino, Kerri Strug and 1991 world champion Kim Zmeskal) and two in 1996 (Strug and Dominique Moceanu).
Martha Karolyi was head coach of the women's team in Atlanta. But it was Bela who soaked up the airtime by carrying Strug to the medals podium after she was treated for an ankle injury suffered on vault, her final event.
The Karolyis retired from coaching after the 1996 Olympics, but Bela was summoned as national team coordinator after the U.S. women finished a dismal sixth in the 1999 world championships.
He quickly assembled a training schedule that included centralized team camps at the Karolyi ranch every month, a practice that continues today. But his authoritarian style did not sit well with the athletes' personal coaches -- an ironic twist, because the Karolyis had for years battled to protect the personal coach's role in the national training process.
"He (Bela Karolyi) was not elected. He was appointed," said Kelli Hill, coach of 2000 national champion and Olympian Elise Ray and 2004 national champion and Olympian-to-be Courtney Kupets. "We would have done better in 2000 without a change in systems that close to the Olympics. We (the coaches) needed to have a say in what we wanted to do, going forward from 2000."
New day, new way
"There is a saying in Romania," Comaneci said. "People who do a lot don't talk a lot."
So when USA Gymnastics women's team officials considered candidates to succeed Bela Karolyi in 2001, they opted for a quieter approach.
"The coaches wanted to have her expertise. They wanted that information and knowledge, but they wanted things to be more American," said Kathy Kelly, director of women's programs for the federation. "I went to her and explained what we had in mind and said, `Just remember, a true leader doesn't need to dictate, and you are a true leader. If your plan is good, they will follow.' "
With a Karolyi kept in the job, coaches and athletes also retained access to the family's 2,000-acre ranch, which was designated in 2001 as the national women's training center. Martha was in charge of training schedules; Bela focused on development, raising money from donors to build a second fully equipped gym and a separate floor exercise choreography room, increasing the amount of gym space at the ranch to more than 30,000 square feet.
As the monthly camps progressed, the women's talent base expanded, so much so the United States probably today could field at least two six-member teams in Athens capable of winning medals.
Martha was not eager to become the public face of the women's program, but she has grown into the job. After all, when it came to dealing with the public, she learned from the best. And when it came to dealing with the individual coaches' egos, ambitions and desires for their gymnasts, she learned from Bela's successes and mistakes.
"She could watch from the background and see how my dad reacted to the public and media, and then she just stepped right in," Andrea Wise said. "She words things more delicately, but she makes sure that everybody knows what she thinks."
She's so alert she can give young gymnasts the willies. Every elite gymnast at every training camp knows that, like the eyes of Texas, Martha's eyes always are upon them.
"It was a little intimidating at first," said Olympic team member Carly Patterson, the 2004 co-national all-around champion. "I was nervous when I met her because I wanted her to like me. She watches everything you do, and you always have to be prepared."
"I'm an organized person," Martha Karolyi said. "I expect things to be done precisely and correctly, and the girls know that. I don't think I'm mean or ugly, but everybody knows what to expect if they are late or sloppy in a workout. ... I expect them to follow instructions."
A fine line
But Martha always remembers the line she cannot and will not cross when it comes to the delicate balance between coach and athlete.
"When we are at camp, the real workouts are run by the individual coaches. They know best the needs of the individual gymnasts," she said. "We have things that are required to be done, but they have the freedom to train their own gymnast.
"I was a personal coach for many years, and I wouldn't like somebody ordering around my gymnasts. If I am a coach and if somebody has an observation, come to me. I'll think about it and find a way to apply it if I agree. It's an important point."
It's the tie that binds the nation's elite coaches, and their athletes, to an unbroken run of success that likely will culminate in Athens with the best U.S. women's team in Olympic history.
"She has such a way of discussing and talking and organizing, meticulously preparing the training camps," Bela said. "It provides a calm atmosphere and a feeling among the coaches that they are appreciated and that their opinions are considered. She has patience. She communicates. It's so nice to see."
By David Barron
NEW WAVERLY -- Paul Wise has been around gymnasts and gymnastics since 1992, when he began dating Andrea Karolyi, the only child of Bela and Martha Karolyi. Paul and Andrea were married in 1998, and they assist the Karolyis at the family's ranch and gymnastics camp in the Sam Houston National Forest north of Houston.
In both roles, as son-in-law and employee, Wise has had a front-row seat for a remarkable transformation that has, in turn, transformed the USA Gymnastics women's program.
"It's the funniest thing," he said. "Every year at the camps, the girls would see Andrea and say, `Oh, look. There's Bela's daughter.'
"Now they say, `Oh, look. There's Martha's daughter.' "
Such a simple change, but one fraught with tremendous significance for the United States' medal hopes at the 2004 Athens Olympics and for the internal harmony of a sport too often prone to jealousy and fractious infighting.
Those battles are, for the most part, a thing of the past. And a large measure of the credit goes to the quiet, dark-eyed woman with the bright smile and steely gaze who after 30 years in the background is the most visible figure in one of the Games' most visible sports.
Three months after the U.S. team's disappointing fourth-place finish in Sydney, Martha Karolyi succeeded her husband in January 2001 as national team coordinator. Since 2002, the U.S. women have not lost a major international competition, including the 2003 world championships, and they are prohibitive favorites to win the team gold medal in Athens.
"Finally she is able to get that recognition, and that has been exciting for her and for us as a family," Andrea Wise said. "All the kids see her and say, `Wow, it's Martha.' ... It's her turn to show that she's as knowledgeable as my dad when it comes to coaching."
It's been quite a revelation, but not for knowledgeable insiders such as the Karolyis' first outstanding pupil, five-time Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci. Or their first American star, 1984 all-around gold medalist Mary Lou Retton. Or Bela Karolyi himself.
"She was always the one who was taking care of the everyday schedules, and I was promoting them in front of the audience," Bela Karolyi said. "She is now on her own, and she gets the credit for what has happened. And I am so pleased."
Said Retton: "Twenty-five years ago, in my day, Martha was everything. Bela was the showman and the promoter, but he would have been a lost puppy without Martha.
"He was in there motivating us, but Martha was the one who had the schedule. She knew that she would be on balance beam for 45 minutes and then would do conditioning. She has been the rock, and that is why they have worked together so well."
Most importantly, Martha has in spades the one element Bela Karolyi has lacked -- the gentle art of tact and diplomacy.
"He is more direct," she said, laughing heartily. "Maybe I have a little more patience ... but I also have the same expectations. Maybe I can present them a little bit smoother."
Humble beginnings
The Karolyis have been the first couple of world gymnastics since the mid-1970s. Martha, the daughter of a bank vice president and a schoolteacher, was a high school gymnast before she met Bela while both attended Romania's national sports college.
After they graduated and were married, they moved to the coal mining town of Onesti, where they prepared to implement the radical coaching plans they developed in college.
"We selected extremely young children who we believed had the ability to become strong gymnasts if you gave them good, long periods of development," Martha said. "It was a little controversial because it was a big change. I started gymnastics when I was 13, and now we were working with girls who were 6 and 7."
One of them was Comaneci, 6, whom Martha Karolyi spotted while choreographing a kindergarten play. Comaneci went on to win three gold medals at the 1976 Olympics, scoring a series of perfect 10.0 routines, and also won the all-around silver at the 1980 Games.
"The most important thing about Martha is that she was a woman," Comaneci said. "Being women, there are some things we can't talk to the guys about -- the little things that matter. She was always there to listen."
Despite their success, the Karolyis fell out of favor with the Romanian government when Bela criticized the judging during the 1980 Moscow Olympics. They defected to New York in March 1981, leaving daughter Andrea, who was 7, with relatives in Romania.
"We were happy and successful (in Romania), but we thought we would like to come to a place with more democracy and more freedom, where work and talent is appreciated," Martha Karolyi said.
Bela Karolyi was working as a painter at Los Angeles International Airport when he spotted gymnast Bart Conner, whom he met in the mid-1970s, walking through the airport. Conner got him in touch with his coach, Paul Ziert, now the publisher of International Gymnast magazine, and the Karolyis moved to Houston to work at a gym near FM 1960.
"We realized the only way to get our program going and to make it successful was to own the gym," Martha Karolyi said. "We had to have the right to organize things, not have somebody telling us what to do. In a year, we were able to get a loan and buy the gym."
In the meantime, with the help of Rep. Bill Archer of Houston, they were able to arrange for Andrea, who was living with an aunt, to join them in the United States. The family learned English from Andrea's second-grade textbooks and from Sesame Street and other children's TV shows.
Ups and downs
In less than two years after moving to the United States, the Karolyis built one of the nation's best elite programs. Diane Durham won the national all-around title in 1983, and Retton and Julianne McNamara won national titles in 1984 en route to spots on that year's Olympic team.
The Karolyis produced two more Olympians in 1988 (Phoebe Mills and Chelle Stack), three in 1992 (Betty Okino, Kerri Strug and 1991 world champion Kim Zmeskal) and two in 1996 (Strug and Dominique Moceanu).
Martha Karolyi was head coach of the women's team in Atlanta. But it was Bela who soaked up the airtime by carrying Strug to the medals podium after she was treated for an ankle injury suffered on vault, her final event.
The Karolyis retired from coaching after the 1996 Olympics, but Bela was summoned as national team coordinator after the U.S. women finished a dismal sixth in the 1999 world championships.
He quickly assembled a training schedule that included centralized team camps at the Karolyi ranch every month, a practice that continues today. But his authoritarian style did not sit well with the athletes' personal coaches -- an ironic twist, because the Karolyis had for years battled to protect the personal coach's role in the national training process.
"He (Bela Karolyi) was not elected. He was appointed," said Kelli Hill, coach of 2000 national champion and Olympian Elise Ray and 2004 national champion and Olympian-to-be Courtney Kupets. "We would have done better in 2000 without a change in systems that close to the Olympics. We (the coaches) needed to have a say in what we wanted to do, going forward from 2000."
New day, new way
"There is a saying in Romania," Comaneci said. "People who do a lot don't talk a lot."
So when USA Gymnastics women's team officials considered candidates to succeed Bela Karolyi in 2001, they opted for a quieter approach.
"The coaches wanted to have her expertise. They wanted that information and knowledge, but they wanted things to be more American," said Kathy Kelly, director of women's programs for the federation. "I went to her and explained what we had in mind and said, `Just remember, a true leader doesn't need to dictate, and you are a true leader. If your plan is good, they will follow.' "
With a Karolyi kept in the job, coaches and athletes also retained access to the family's 2,000-acre ranch, which was designated in 2001 as the national women's training center. Martha was in charge of training schedules; Bela focused on development, raising money from donors to build a second fully equipped gym and a separate floor exercise choreography room, increasing the amount of gym space at the ranch to more than 30,000 square feet.
As the monthly camps progressed, the women's talent base expanded, so much so the United States probably today could field at least two six-member teams in Athens capable of winning medals.
Martha was not eager to become the public face of the women's program, but she has grown into the job. After all, when it came to dealing with the public, she learned from the best. And when it came to dealing with the individual coaches' egos, ambitions and desires for their gymnasts, she learned from Bela's successes and mistakes.
"She could watch from the background and see how my dad reacted to the public and media, and then she just stepped right in," Andrea Wise said. "She words things more delicately, but she makes sure that everybody knows what she thinks."
She's so alert she can give young gymnasts the willies. Every elite gymnast at every training camp knows that, like the eyes of Texas, Martha's eyes always are upon them.
"It was a little intimidating at first," said Olympic team member Carly Patterson, the 2004 co-national all-around champion. "I was nervous when I met her because I wanted her to like me. She watches everything you do, and you always have to be prepared."
"I'm an organized person," Martha Karolyi said. "I expect things to be done precisely and correctly, and the girls know that. I don't think I'm mean or ugly, but everybody knows what to expect if they are late or sloppy in a workout. ... I expect them to follow instructions."
A fine line
But Martha always remembers the line she cannot and will not cross when it comes to the delicate balance between coach and athlete.
"When we are at camp, the real workouts are run by the individual coaches. They know best the needs of the individual gymnasts," she said. "We have things that are required to be done, but they have the freedom to train their own gymnast.
"I was a personal coach for many years, and I wouldn't like somebody ordering around my gymnasts. If I am a coach and if somebody has an observation, come to me. I'll think about it and find a way to apply it if I agree. It's an important point."
It's the tie that binds the nation's elite coaches, and their athletes, to an unbroken run of success that likely will culminate in Athens with the best U.S. women's team in Olympic history.
"She has such a way of discussing and talking and organizing, meticulously preparing the training camps," Bela said. "It provides a calm atmosphere and a feeling among the coaches that they are appreciated and that their opinions are considered. She has patience. She communicates. It's so nice to see."
Saturday, August 07, 2004
RAISING THE BAR (E! NEWS)
They may be little, but they sure are tough. You just try flipping off a four-inch beam or hanging from a bar for 10 hours a day.
Without a doubt, these elite gymnasts are a rare breed who have rightly earned their places in history, from Nadia to Mary Lou to the entire Magnificent Seven.
This summer, a whole new crop of hopefuls stand poised to take on the 28th Olympiad in Athens, as you'll discover in this inspiring episode, Gymnasts: Little Girls, Big Dreams: The E! True Hollywood Story, premiering Aug. 8 at 9 p.m. Find out who's really ready to go for all that glitters.
Of course, the road to the podium is littered with plenty of injuries, disappointments and obstacles along the way. Sometimes an Olympic dream is all an athlete has to hold on to.
This Story gives you a golden glimpse of the hard work and perseverance that make the Olympic glory all the more sweet.
They may be little, but they sure are tough. You just try flipping off a four-inch beam or hanging from a bar for 10 hours a day.
Without a doubt, these elite gymnasts are a rare breed who have rightly earned their places in history, from Nadia to Mary Lou to the entire Magnificent Seven.
This summer, a whole new crop of hopefuls stand poised to take on the 28th Olympiad in Athens, as you'll discover in this inspiring episode, Gymnasts: Little Girls, Big Dreams: The E! True Hollywood Story, premiering Aug. 8 at 9 p.m. Find out who's really ready to go for all that glitters.
Of course, the road to the podium is littered with plenty of injuries, disappointments and obstacles along the way. Sometimes an Olympic dream is all an athlete has to hold on to.
This Story gives you a golden glimpse of the hard work and perseverance that make the Olympic glory all the more sweet.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
GAMES A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL (GANNETT NEWSWIRE)
CLEVELAND -- Those who parent or teach 12- to-15-year-olds know it's an age group that can be difficult to please. That said, everyone involved with the International Children's Games should consider the weekend miraculous, at least where Marion athletes are concerned.
Just about everyone was tired at Monday night's closing ceremonies, but just about everyone also seemed to be enjoying themselves. Marion athletes continued to mingle with athletes from other nations, and all had positive things to say about their trip.
"My favorite part was making new friends," said Gabi May, the goalie for the girls' soccer team. "I got a bunch of phone numbers from guys and girls, and I liked trying to learn the languages. I hope we can come back next year."
The 2005 International Children's Games are set for July 6-11 in Coventry, England. Several athletes and parents have expressed interest in making the trip.
In all, the athletes saw President George W. Bush; Olympians, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner and Dominique Moceanu (not to mention Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold); and musicians, Aaron Carter and Little Richard. They also earned a brief appearance on national television as ABC's Good Morning America filmed a short segment Monday from John Carroll University, site of most of the athletic events.
The royalty treatment didn't end Monday. The delegation returned to Sunnycrest Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and well-wishers and parents welcomed back the group.
It was hard to find more positive enthusiasm from anyone in the Marion group than Randy Holt. He served as Katie Cragun's gymnastics coach and had nothing but positive words for the event.
"I helped with the meets at the Pan American Games and the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships," Holt said. "This is my first time (in an international competition) as a coach, and the goose bumps still haven't gone away. To march in with a USA jacket and being a part of that is unbelievable."
Holt wasn't the only coach to enjoy himself. Two others received prized possessions while trading souvenirs with those from other nations. Boys' soccer coach Idowu Ikudabo exchanged his Marion cap with people from the Netherlands for a pair of wooden shoes. Track and field coach Terry Lakes received an Irish T-shirt, a prized possession to him since he ran during his younger years with some Irish competitors.
As the night drew to a close, medal winners were recognized at the Festival Village downtown. Athletes stayed and watched Grease while eating pizza and making some more connections.
With all the tangible items, celebrities met and competitive achievements, the cultural exchange was what most athletes chose to remember most fondly.
"The experience built with soccer, but we also respect other countries more," said girls' soccer player Lauren Meese. "They put as much hard work as we do, and not everyone has as good of a background as people in this country. Everyone had a blast."
CLEVELAND -- Those who parent or teach 12- to-15-year-olds know it's an age group that can be difficult to please. That said, everyone involved with the International Children's Games should consider the weekend miraculous, at least where Marion athletes are concerned.
Just about everyone was tired at Monday night's closing ceremonies, but just about everyone also seemed to be enjoying themselves. Marion athletes continued to mingle with athletes from other nations, and all had positive things to say about their trip.
"My favorite part was making new friends," said Gabi May, the goalie for the girls' soccer team. "I got a bunch of phone numbers from guys and girls, and I liked trying to learn the languages. I hope we can come back next year."
The 2005 International Children's Games are set for July 6-11 in Coventry, England. Several athletes and parents have expressed interest in making the trip.
In all, the athletes saw President George W. Bush; Olympians, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner and Dominique Moceanu (not to mention Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold); and musicians, Aaron Carter and Little Richard. They also earned a brief appearance on national television as ABC's Good Morning America filmed a short segment Monday from John Carroll University, site of most of the athletic events.
The royalty treatment didn't end Monday. The delegation returned to Sunnycrest Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and well-wishers and parents welcomed back the group.
It was hard to find more positive enthusiasm from anyone in the Marion group than Randy Holt. He served as Katie Cragun's gymnastics coach and had nothing but positive words for the event.
"I helped with the meets at the Pan American Games and the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships," Holt said. "This is my first time (in an international competition) as a coach, and the goose bumps still haven't gone away. To march in with a USA jacket and being a part of that is unbelievable."
Holt wasn't the only coach to enjoy himself. Two others received prized possessions while trading souvenirs with those from other nations. Boys' soccer coach Idowu Ikudabo exchanged his Marion cap with people from the Netherlands for a pair of wooden shoes. Track and field coach Terry Lakes received an Irish T-shirt, a prized possession to him since he ran during his younger years with some Irish competitors.
As the night drew to a close, medal winners were recognized at the Festival Village downtown. Athletes stayed and watched Grease while eating pizza and making some more connections.
With all the tangible items, celebrities met and competitive achievements, the cultural exchange was what most athletes chose to remember most fondly.
"The experience built with soccer, but we also respect other countries more," said girls' soccer player Lauren Meese. "They put as much hard work as we do, and not everyone has as good of a background as people in this country. Everyone had a blast."
