USA Gymnastics buys Karolyi ranch

There will still be a Karolyi connection to the women's national team even after Martha Karolyi retires.

USA Gymnastics announced Monday it had reached an agreement to buy a portion of the Karolyi ranch, where the women's team has held monthly training camps since 2000.

The 36 acres purchased include three training gyms; a dance studio; housing for 300 athletes, coaches and administrators; and a dining hall.

The facility, an official U.S. Olympic Committee training site since 2011, will be renamed the USA Gymnastics Athlete Development Center at the Karolyi Ranch. Karolyi and her husband Bela will continue to live on the grounds, located in the heart of Sam Houston Forest about 45 minutes north of Houston.

“I am incredibly proud of the system that we have created and the success of our women’s program for the past 15 years,” said Martha Karolyi, who is retiring as national team coordinator after 15 years following the Rio Olympics. “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 ranch has been an integral part of the semi-centralized training system that has made the United States the dominant team in women's gymnastics. Gymnasts are allowed to train at home with their personal coaches, but they are evaluated by Karolyi during monthly training camps at the ranch. She sets standards and expectations for both gymnasts and coaches, and the coordinated plan has created a depth of talent no country can match.

The Americans have won the last three world titles, and are heavily favored to win a second consecutive gold medal in Rio.

“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," Bela Karolyi said. "The transition of ownership to the federation is exactly what we envisioned.”

The ranch began as a small hunting property for Bela Karolyi, and has been expanded and developed over the last 30-plus years. When he and Martha Karolyi were personal coaches, they would bring their athletes to the ranch to train and also hold summer camps there.