Phillips Does Reverse, Vaults Back to Karolyi

Kristie Phillips, who surprised the gymnastics world when she moved from longtime coach Bela Karolyi to train with Olympic Coach Don Peters in February, moved back to Karolyi over the weekend.

Phillips was the top-ranked gymnast a year ago, winning the America’s Cup, the U.S. Championships and even the all-around competition in a dual meet with the Soviet team. But she had a poor showing in the 1987 World Championships, finishing 45th. Several months later, she moved from Karolyi’s gym in Houston to Peters’ SCATS gym in Huntington Beach.

Phillips, 16, bothered by weight and conditioning problems, did not compete after making the switch. She was held out of this year’s America’s Cup and the recent U.S.-Soviet dual meet but was believed to be making progress toward the U.S. Championships, to be held in early July.

U.S. Gymnastics Federation officials were told that Phillips initiated the move, calling Karolyi and asking to return. They were also told that she did not tell Peters of her decision until after she left Huntington Beach.