#MARTA KAROLYI GYMNASTICS FREE#

Nowadays it is known by the more politically correct term “permanent normal trade relations.” The designation is highly sought after by foreign governments and a designation worth far more than a few Olympic medals. It is a designation that gives a country enhanced rights to trade with the massive American economy. In 1975 Romania secured “most favored nation” status (MFN). Not only was Bill Archer passionate on the topic of gymnastics, he was in a position of power to do something about Andrea. It ended up being a representative from Houston, Texas by the name of Bill Archer. (From L to R) Geza Pozar, Marta Karolyi, Bela Karolyi, an unnamed translator, and Bill Archerīela Karolyi and Bart Conner went to Washington D.C.

Asking herself “where’s mom and dad?” In her adult life she would call it a “pretty scary” experience. She saw the girls (gymnasts) return, but came to realize her parents weren’t there. Andrea would later recall waiting for her parents to return at the train station. At the time of the defection Andrea had been staying with her aunt. The Romanian dictatorship was evil and one of the most horrific governments in 1980s Europe, but they weren’t that evil. It was one month before Bela and Marta Karolyi managed to contact Andrea.Īny speculation of the Romanian government punishing Andrea in retaliation for the defection is unfounded.

#MARTA KAROLYI GYMNASTICS FREE#

It included free housing, insurance, and a car. Paul Ziert set Bela Karolyi up with two jobs in Norman, Oklahoma that paid a combined salary ranging from $45,000 to $47,000 a year. Regardless of how Bela came into contact with Ziert and how many competing offers he had, the end result was the same. Conner put Bela in contact with his college coach Paul Ziert who was the head coach of the men’s gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma. While working at the airport he had a chance encounter with Bart Conner. Most sources cite Bela having a wide range of offers to coach gymnastics, but one account states that Bela Karolyi first started working as a painter at the Los Angeles airport. Whereas every other element of this story has events that are rather straight-forward, there is one minor inconsistency and that inconsistency is where this story starts.īela and Marta Karolyi would ultimately settle in Oklahoma on their first leg as gymnastics coaches in America. Like any story involving Bela Karolyi, there are conflicting accounts. But one question that many fans have asked, what about the family members they left behind in Romania? More specifically, what happened to Bela and Marta’s eight year old daughter Andrea? The third defector was their top choreographer Geza Pozsar. They were the husband and wife duo of Bela and Marta Karolyi. In 1981 Romania lost three of its best coaches after they defected to the United States.

Marta karolyi gymnastics