HEAVY MEDALS Part 6: The Rise of Martha

30 for 30 Podcasts

ESPN

Sports

4.5 • 9.7K Ratings

🗓️ 14 July 2020

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

For years, Martha Karolyi avoided the spotlight — appearing only as the mysterious and subservient partner of her boisterous husband. But when she is tapped to take over the national team, Martha finally comes into full view. Martha aims to prove that she can turn the United States into a dominant force in gymnastics, building teams that win gold medal after gold medal. But under Martha’s regime, injured athletes are often discarded and a culture of silence prevails. If you or someone you know has been subjected to sexual assault or abuse, and you would like more information or support, these hotlines can help: RAINN's 24/7 confidential national sexual assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673, or ChildHelp: 1-800-4-A-Child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	A word of warning, this episode contains mature language depicting instances of sexual,
0:07.2	physical, and or emotional abuse of children.
0:16.0	Marda Corolley-Vellas-Wife, his lifetime companion, is a powerful partner in the Corolley Gymnastics
0:22.5	machine, but no one knows her.
0:24.8	She was never very prominent, never said anything.
0:27.4	I don't remember her ever being in an interview.
0:30.2	Finally, she gave in, offered us this exclusive insight.
0:35.4	Thank you for joining us, Marda.
0:37.4	You're the unknown person.
0:39.4	You kind of hide.
0:40.4	You don't like this very much, do you?
0:42.4	Yeah, it's left my shame, anything.
0:44.4	When the media would come in, she would always be in the office.
0:47.4	It was Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella.
0:49.4	That's why everybody knew Bella, because Marda didn't want to be in the media.
0:53.4	She was a hard person to read or get close to.
0:56.4	I would watch her and she would stand there all stoking, have her arms crossed,
1:00.4	but she could talk to those kids with very little words with her eyes and with some compassion,
1:07.4	but very stern.
1:09.4	Oh, Dad, go.
1:12.4	Dad, go and brush.
1:16.4	You can't get away from Marda's voice.
	...

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