Bela Karolyi, the charismatic if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power in the sport, has died. He was 82. Karolyi and wife Martha trained multiple Olympic gold medalists and world champions in the U.

The Romanian-born coach, along with his wife Martha, garnered international recognition for his role in turning Team USA women's gymnastics into the gold medal machine it is today

Karolyi and his wife, Martha, cultivated champions in Romania and the United States throughout their 30-year career. Some gymnasts said he used harsh tactics.