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.

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

Bela Karolyi has died at age 82. The Romanian-born gymnastics coach, along with his wife Martha Karolyi, garnered international recognition for his role in turning Team USA women's gymnastics into the gold medal machine it is today.