Indianapolis – Bela Karolyi has announced that he will not be a candidate for the women’s national team coordinator position for USA Gymnastics. The decision was made during a women’s program summit in Houston on Sunday in conjunction with a national team training camp.

Karolyi’s contract with USA Gymnastics expired at the end of December 2000. Although he will no longer serve as national team coordinator, USA Gymnastics plans to explore a number of possible roles in the organization for Karolyi.
“Bela has done everything USA Gymnastics has asked him to do,” said Bob Colarossi, President of USA Gymnastics. “His wealth of knowledge and past success in the sport are vital resources for USA Gymnastics and I am confident that he will have a role in our organization.”
The national team coordinator position is designed to oversee the women’s training program and preparation for international competition. This role is currently being evaluated and an announcement will be made once the appropriate candidate has been determined.
Karolyi continues to manage grass-roots gymnastics camps and clinics at his ranch near Houston, Texas. He has been a member of the U.S. Olympic coaching staff at five Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000).