KAROLYI SAYS CAREER OVER.

Byline: Nancy Armour Associated Press 

As America's women soared to the top of the gymnastics world, they lifted coach Bela Karolyi to the peak of his career. And to its conclusion.

The United States' gold medal in the team competition is the perfect way to end his career, he said. He will continue to coach Dominique Moceanu and his other current gymnasts, but he's sold his gym and will step down as a coach at the elite level after the Olympics.

``As long as they're going to need me to be around, I'm going to be around them,'' he said. ``But I won't start another new generation like I have for the past 35 years.

``I would not regret one second that I spent in gymnastics. All the fight and all the frustration and all the low moments, it was worth it. Every and any moment.''

The team gold medal renewed criticism that's dogged him for most of his career - that Karolyi cares more about personal success than for the women who help him attain it.

Karolyi makes no apologies, saying Friday his tough ways have become the blueprint for success in gymnastics programs across the country.

``I think I've managed to pass down the line in the United States that high-quality results can be obtained only through a hard preparation, an intensive preparation,'' he said. ``I was very pleased over the years to see people picking up and following in my footsteps.''