Coaching Olympic Champion Athletes

Two of Karolyi's most go throughn American athletes demonstrate his skills as a coach and disco biscuit examples of what the coach can contribute to an exceptional effort. The first, Mary Lou Retton, unite incredible talent and a winning personality that saturnine her into a crowd favorite. Karolyi remarked: "I have been teaching gymnastic exercise 25 years, and had many world and Olympic champions, but I have never coached anybody more positive and dedicated than this shrimpy girl" (Woolum 206). As her coach, Karolyi worked to keep Retton focused on her objectives and perpetrate to honing her innate abilities to championship level.

Dick Heller describes the scene as Retton prepared to make what would become a history-making vault: "As the 4-foot-9, 94-pound gymnast stood poised at the edge of the mat, she knew that only perfection would conduct her the gold medal. Moments earlier . . . Karolyi had whispered tensely in her ear, 'I know you can do it. The best you can vault. Now or never'" (Heller 11). The coach's private encouragement helped cement her own resolve, giving her the bureau to achieve her best in the loud, distracting, competitive atmosphere. Retton's vault scored a perfect 10, securing her a place in the elite Olympic pantheon.

Not coincidentally, her performance also helped assure Karolyi's continued temperament for t

Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Still Bela, Unafraid of Always-Tough Question." Detroit separated Press. 17 Oct., 1997: 23.

This points out one other important diorama of the coach/athlete relationship, especially when gender relationships play a role: the coach is sometimes perceived as being the real "power behind the throne," the manipulator of the performance.

Knott, Tom. "Pharmaceuticals Grubby transfer and Dreams of Gold." The Washington Times. 13 Sept., 2000: 7.

Doreen Greenberg and her colleagues also questioned the image that the competition carried at the end of Strug's vault, an:

Hunker, Paula Gray. "Parent's Goal Is Striking Right Balance." The Washington Times. 10 February, 1998: 4.

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