What Athletes Have Said About Late Gymnastics Coach Bella Crowley

Bella CrowleyA controversial figure in the world of gymnastics has trained many Olympic superstars Nadia Komaneki To Mary Lou Reton.

Crowley died on 15 November 2024 at the age of 82. During his career, the alleged harshness of his coaching methods has been questioned more than once, as has his wife. Martha CrowleyTies with former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. Nasir is currently serving a life sentence for sexual assault.

Bella and Martha trained world gymnastics champions in both the United States and Romania. From 1999 to 2001, Bella was the National Team Coordinator for the United States Women’s National Artistic Gymnastics Team. After retiring from the post, Martha took over in 2001.

Bella left behind a complicated legacy, but her and Martha’s 30-year career produced nearly 30 Olympians and 9 Olympic champions, per USA Gymnastics, along with Komaniecki and Retten. Julianne McNamara, Phoebe Mills, Betty Okino, Christy Phillips, Carrie Sturg, Dominique Mosinau And Low Zemskalall of whom have been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Here’s what athletes who trained with Bella said about the late gymnastics coach:

Dominic Mosinau

Mocenau has previously been vocal about Karolyi’s alleged abuse and coaching practices, which she detailed in her 2012 memoir. He was coached by Karolyis and was part of the 1996 “Magnificent 7” team that won gold for the United States in Atlanta, Georgia.

After his death in November 2024, Mocenau went to X to reflect on his relationship with his former coach.

“Bella Crowley was a man whose influence on my life and the sport of elite gymnastics was undoubtedly significant. He was a complex individual, with a mix of strengths and weaknesses who left a lasting impression on those around him. Those who have followed my story know that my journey as a coach under Bella’s guidance came with immense challenges.

“While our relationship was fraught with difficulties, some of those moments of difficulty helped me to forge and define my own path,” she continued. “As we say goodbye to Bella, I choose to send loving thoughts to her family and loved ones, and to honor our relationship by embracing the lessons learned and striving to help create a better world. May he rest in peace where compassion and encouragement guide our actions.”

Mary Lou Reton

“They built a family here in America,” Retton, who became the first American woman to win an all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics in 1984, said in 2016, according to USA Gymnastics, of both Bella and Martha’s influence on the sport. said about “It’s really all his work. It was hard when Bella stepped in. Not to say they didn’t have a lot of pillow talk at night, but he didn’t really go to the gym.

He added, “Now that was Martha’s baby, and she’s done a great job… Martha’s still got the snap. Most people don’t realize, even 30 years ago, Martha was a whole engine. “She wanted to stay behind. Now it’s her time to shine.”

Nadia Komaneki

Komaniecki was one of the first gymnasts to coach Karolyi in her career, and notably was the first gymnast to achieve a perfect score at the Olympics in 1976 at the age of 17.

“A big influence and influence in my life❤️🙏🙏🙏 RIP Bela Karolyi,” Komaniecki wrote via Instagram after Karolyi’s death in November, alongside several photos of her and her former coach.

Carrie Sturg

Sturg competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Karolyi notably helped lift an injured Sturg off the floor as she performed her vault on a sprained ankle, ultimately winning Team USA the gold medal. was

“Bella is a very tough coach and he takes criticism for that,” Sturg said at the time, according to ABC News. “But that’s what it takes to be a champion. I don’t think it’s really fair that everyone tries to find fault with Bella. Whatever happens in life, you have to work really hard to be successful.”

Catherine Zabo

“Bella could play every role: he was a friend, a father, a coach,” the Romanian gymnast, who won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, told the French outlet. The team Coach Bella’s in 2017. “He could be very tough… but the mindset was different back then. I’m not here to judge, but there was a lot of respect.

Betty Okino

“Before entering the Bella Crowley camp, I knew one thing. Bella was my bus pass to the Olympics,” the 1992 Olympian wrote in a 2001 essay. How is it going to be reduced? He would push us, criticize, and work to our breaking point, and whoever stood up earned the right to train with him.”

He added, “Karoli structured his training in such a way that he built your physical and mental strength to such a remarkable level, that he couldn’t even knock you down. Bella wanted to know when push came to shove.” His players can handle any situation thrown at them.