updated 6:31 p.m. ET Aug. 22, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - U.S. women’s team coordinator Martha Karolyi wants to be in Beijing.

Karolyi said Sunday she would like to coach the team through at least the 2008 Olympics, and USA Gymnastics president Bob Colarossi said the federation plans to keep her.

“I like the job very much,” Karolyi told The Associated Press. “If they want me, I want to stay.”

Karolyi inherited a team in disarray after the Sydney Olympics. The squad failed to win a medal for the first time since 1976, and many felt her husband, Bela, had overstepped his bounds in his role as coordinator.

Bela Karolyi revamped the program, instituting regular national team training camps, but many coaches chafed at his overbearing style. USA Gymnastics replaced Bela with Martha, and the results are clear.

The women won three medals in event finals Sunday to bring their total in Athens to five. All-around champion Carly Patterson and Courtney Kupets go on balance beam Monday night, and Mohini Bhardwaj competes on floor. The women also won their first world championship last summer.

“We want Martha back, and we’ll do everything we can to keep her,” Colarossi said. “She’s been such a unifying force in this program.”

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