Bela Karolyi, the charismatic if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power, has died.

Former Romania and United States coach Bela Karolyi, who trained Nadia Comaneci to become the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics, has died aged 82, USA Gymnastics said late on Saturday.

Former American and Romanian gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi died on Friday at age 82, according to USA Gymnastics. Karolyi and his wife, Martha