More from Bela

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PHILADELPHIA -- While it is Bela Karolyi’s wife, Martha, who will have the final say on the six gymnasts who’ll make up the U.S. Olympic team, former national coach Bela has some opinions.

An hour before the first night of Olympic trials, Karolyi said it was his opinion that Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Samantha Peszek, Chellsie Memmel and Alicia Sacramone will make the team and that the final spot was up for grabs between Bridget Sloan, Jana Bieger and Ivana Hong. Bela said that Bieger might have an advantage because she was the silver medalist in the 2006 world all-around championships and that he liked Sloan’s vaulting and floor exercise and Hong’s graceful lines.

Bela also said that at least 12 girls would be taken to a final team selection camp at the Karolyi ranch outside Houston. The final six-woman team, plus at least two alternates, will be named July 20.

-- Diane Pucin