Broad Street, Beijing and Bela

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Gymnastics guru Bela Karolyi joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter this week to unveil the new street sign for Philadelphia’s storied Broad Street. The ‘Road to Beijing’ is only one indication of how much this city is behind the U.S. gymnastics trials. For a live web photo gallery from Philly, check out the USA Gymnastics page. The men’s portion begins Thursday and the women’s on Friday.

Karolyi, 66, is national training center director for USA Gymnastics and his credentials are unparalleled, having coached Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton and Dominique Moceanu, among others. Martha Karolyi, his wife, is national team coordinator.

Read more about Bela, Martha and his Texas ranch, where the elite women gymnasts go to train. Los Angeles Times staff writer Diane Pucin, who is blogging from Philadelphia this week, stayed at the ranch for a few days, amid the camels and red deer. Yes, camels.