The Legacy of Bela Karolyi

TICKETS ON SALE NOW PORTLAND LIVE SHOW Bela's Legacy

Bela Karolyi helped usher many gymnasts over decades to the pinnacle of the sport. If medals are the measure of success, few can match his accomplishments. When addressing his legacy, however, it would be irresponsible to ignore the wake of destruction he left behind and the culture he helped cultivate that resulted in the largest sexual abuse scandal in American sports history. Many gymnasts, even those who have shared their own stories of abuse by him, have equally expressed gratitude and admiration. It's possible to recognize his accomplishments while also addressing the physical and emotional scars he left on the sport. We are sensitive to those grieving, but we also feel an obligation to honor those who have suffered by sharing a more complete picture of Bela Karolyi. In an exclusive, we have decided to share the most serious allegation against Bela, which we unearthed in our reporting while scouring the Romanian Secret Police documents. The accusation is of sexual assault. We have redacted the names and specific dates to protect the other individuals involved. At the time, the accuser was a teenager less than half Bela's age. It's important to note that this document was recorded in the Secret Police files, but it has not been substantiated. With that said the police files corroborated the story from the survivor noting that the accuser confided in two adults, over two separate occasions a year apart. The decision to disclose a sexual assault allegation against Bela is not one taken lightly, especially in the wake of his passing. However, this revelation serves an essential purpose, not only for historical accuracy, but also for societal accountability and justice. Only by confronting uncomfortable truths can we honor the experiences of survivors, learn from systemic failures, and create a safer, more just society. Silence and deference to power have already caused immeasurable harm. It is time to prioritize truth and healing over the preservation of a mythological past.

SEE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT and TRANSLATION HERE

From the National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives. Document: I 0005189 Volume: 001

MORE PROJECT K

Project K: Operation Olympia Project K: Romanian Gymnastics Documents of Abuse, Neglect & Authority Project K: Documents of Alexandrina Comaneci's Warning Project K: Interview with Nadia & The Secret Police Author Dr. Stejarel Olaru Project K Episode 2: Interview with Nadia & The Secret Police Author Dr. Stejarel Olaru Part Two Chinese and British Trial Chaos, and Project K: Decoding Romanian Secret Police Files on The Karolyis with Dr. Simona Petracovschi

CREDITS: Original Reporting by Jessica O'Beirne and Cosmin Bogdan, freelance journalist. Contributions by Steve Cooper. Translations by Beatrice Gheorghisor and Cosmic Bogdan. Official document transcription and translation by Transperfect.

SUPPORT OUR WORK - JOIN CLUB GYM NERD

Or give it as a gift!. It includes:

• • Weekly Q&A Behind The Scenes podcast, dedications, mini-commissions , group commissions, exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktails episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch.
  • Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum
• More goodies:
  • GymCastic newsletters
  • College & Cocktails menu (including mocktails, of course)
  • GymCastic Fantasy Games
  • GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast!
  • Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store

RELATED

• • The Karolyi Secret Police Files
  • Olympic coach John Geddert criminal charges and death
  • Doug Boger:
    • OC Register: Doug Boger banned
    • Story on Colorado resident, Doug Boger: "Gymnasts Accuse Colorado Coach Of Sex Abuse, Torture"
    • GymCastic episode Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics
  • Episode where we predict the future: Biggest Olympic Judging Scandals
  • Find all our recent episodes here
  • Behind The Scenes: every Friday find them all here
    • Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal

COMMISSIONED EPISODES

• • The FluffCast
  • Gymnastics Dumest Rules
  • GymKata starring Kurt Thomas
  • A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary
  • The Leotard Episode
  • Uncle Tim's Mythbusters
  • Find them all here