Karolyis OK sale of ranch complex to USA Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics said Monday it has agreed to purchase from Bela and Martha Karolyi the 36.2acre portion of the Karolyi Ranch in the Sam Houston National Forest that includes training and housing operations for the women’s national team.

The complex, which will be called the USA Gymnastics Athlete Development at the Karolyi Ranch, includes three gymnasiums, housing for 300, office space, and training and dining facilities.

Financial terms of the transaction were not immediately available Monday.

The transaction was not unexpected; Bela Karolyi, the former longtime gymnastics coach of world or Olympic champions Mary Lou Retton, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Kim Zmeskal and others, said last month he hoped to complete the transaction so his dream of a training camp where athletes can train each month while also working in their home gyms could continue.

Martha Karolyi, the women’s national team coordinator since 2001, is retiring after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next month.

“Acquiring the gymnastics-related portion of the Karolyi Ranch is an important step in our upcoming transition from Martha’s leadership as national team coordinator to her successor,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We are excited to continue the legacy of success that has been developed over the years.”

“This is a dream come true,” Bela Karolyi said in a statement from the federation. “From the very beginning our goal has been to create something truly unique for USA Gymnastics and over the past few years that mission has been accomplished.

“The transition of ownership to the federation is exactly what we envisioned.”

Martha Karolyi said, “It is the right time for Bela and me to enjoy the other things in life while still remaining connected to USA Gymnastics through the ongoing activities at the ranch.”

The Karolyis first began training athletes at the ranch, which covers 2,000 acres between New Waverly and Huntsville, in 1984. They will retain their personal residences, a lodge and the remaining acreage.