Bela and Martha Karolyi: We Didn’t Know About Larry Nassar’s Abuse at Our Ranch

Bela and Martha Karolyi, the most prominent gymnastics coaches in Olympic competition for decades, said they had no knowledge of the abuse done at the hands of Larry Nassar on their Texas property, according to depositions obtained by CNN. After finding success with Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug, the couple’s Karolyi Ranch became the National Team Training Center in 2001 and the Olympic Training Site in 2011—the same years that Nassar was the national team doctor. Martha Karolyi was also the national team coordinator from 2001 to 2016. Karolyi has distanced herself from Nassar, saying that he did not work under her, that she did not know day-to-day activities at the ranch, and that Nassar seldom gave her reports about the gymnasts. Jordyn Wieber, a 2012 Olympic gold-medalist, has asserted that Karolyi “had control over anything and everything that went on at the ranch.” Mattie Larson, who is suing Karolyi for turning a “blind-eye” to the abuse, said that Karolyi “definitely had a relationship” with Nassar. Melanie Seaman, a USA Gymnastics trainer until 2006, said the organization gave Karolyi “free rein because they wanted to win.”