Martha Karolyi Named National Team Coordinator through 2004 Olympic Games

Indianapolis, Ind. – Martha Karolyi, head coach of the gold medal winning 1996 Olympic Team, has been named National Team Coordinator for the U.S. women’s program through 2004.

Martha Karolyi will be responsible for establishing the overall training program for the women’s national team through the 2004 Olympic Games. She will be available as an advisor to the individual coaches of the national team athletes….

February 20, 2001

Indianapolis, Ind. – Martha Karolyi, head coach of the gold medal winning 1996 Olympic Team, has been named National Team Coordinator for the U.S. women’s program through 2004.

Martha Karolyi will be responsible for establishing the overall training program for the women’s national team through the 2004 Olympic Games. She will be available as an advisor to the individual coaches of the national team athletes. Karolyi will direct the team’s preparation for the 2001 and 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympic Games, and play an integral role in the final composition of each of the teams.

“I am confident that Martha Karolyi will successfully lead the U.S. Team back to the medal podium,” said Bob Colarossi, President of USA Gymnastics. “Martha’s emphasis on technique and drive towards excellence is the push our program needs to be medal contenders.”

USA Gymnastics recently engaged in strategic planning for the organization through the 2004 Olympic Games. The goals established for the women’s program include remaining among the top six ranked at the 2001 World Championships and contending for medals at the 2003 World Championships and 2004 Olympic Games. To accomplish these goals, national team training camps will be conducted throughout the years, uniting individual athletes, coaches and national staff as a team.

“We have a lot of depth and promising young talent in this country,” said Martha Karolyi. “By implementing our program goals at the beginning of the Olympic quadrennium, we have ample time to develop the young athletes into strong medal contenders.”

Bela Karolyi announced that he would not be a candidate for the women’s national team coordinator position. His contract with USA Gymnastics expired at the end of December 2000. Bela will remain involved with USA Gymnastics in a variety of areas including marketing the sport and grassroots initiatives.

“I am very proud that Martha is taking over the national team coordinator role for our country,” said Bela Karolyi. “I plan to stay involved with USA Gymnastics in a number of roles while supporting the team’s efforts to win medals.”

Along with her husband, Martha Karolyi has coached such Olympic and World Champions as Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Kim Zmeskal, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug. Bela and Martha Karolyi manage grassroots gymnastics camps and clinics at their 1,200 acre ranch near Houston, Texas.