Dominique Moceanu accuses Martha and Bela Karolyi of abuse
GYMNASTICS
Former Olympian says Martha Karolyi, now U.S. team coordinator, once slammed her face into a phone and Bela berated her about her weight.
Former U.S. Olympian Dominique Moceanu, who at 14 was part of the 1996 gold-medal team, said Tuesday night that USA Gymnastics team coordinator Martha Karolyi once grabbed her by the neck and slammed her face into a phone, and that former coach Bela Karolyi twice berated her about her weight in front of national teammates.
Moceanu, in a telephone interview with The Times, expanded on comments she made on an "HBO Real Sports" report that first aired Tuesday night in which she called for the Karolyis to be removed from their positions with the national team.
But other gymnasts who have been coached by the Karolyis or who were on the 1996 team with Moceanu said they hadn't seen the abuse Moceanu said she suffered.
"I never, ever objected to hard work," Moceanu said.
"What I objected to was Martha grabbing me by the neck, shoving my face into the phone and telling me to call my parents when I hurt my neck in practice. I objected to being told to jump onto a scale in front of the 1995 world championship team; of being forced to do 16 uneven bars routines in a row by Martha.
"I was completely embarrassed by Bela in front of the 2000 national training team at camp. He completely belittled me and my weight, singled me out and made me feel very small. It was unfair treatment. Martha's logic is so false but no one would listen to a 14-year-old. I was never allowed to speak out."
She failed to make the team and tried a comeback in 2006, but injuries got in the way.
Martha Karolyi, speaking on a conference call Tuesday morning, said, "I feel sad that a gymnast so accomplished as Dominique, being a part of the 1996 Olympic team and being the individual medalist in the 1995 world championships, can remember the harder days during the preparation. I feel sad."
USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny said, "I have not seen the [HBO] piece yet, so I am not in a position to comment. However, I do want to say that the Karolyis have contributed a great deal to the success of our athletes over the years and continue to do so."
Later Tuesday, USA Gymnastics spokesman Leslie King said the Karolyis and Penny were unavailable for comment about Moceanu's other accusations.
Moceanu said she spoke out now only because she was approached by HBO and said she hasn't spoken to the Karolyis since 2006.
"I have a nonexistent relationship with the Karolyis," Moceanu said in the phone interview. "I'm more mature now and able to articulate my feelings."
- BELA OF THE BALL - When Karolyi Talks, Everyone in Gymnastics Listens-Even Judges Jul 07, 1996
- Leg Injury Clouds Moceanu's Hopes Jun 18, 1996
- For Chow, Karolyi, Results Hurt So Good Jul 01, 1996
