Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu says former coach Martha Karolyi should be removed from her role as national team coordinator, and that other athletes — past and present — agree with her.

In an interview scheduled to air tonight on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," Moceanu criticized Karolyi and her husband Bela for their strict training regimen and diet restrictions. The Karolyis retired after Moceanu and her teammates won the gold medal in 1996, but Martha Karolyi has overseen the U.S. women's team since 2001.

"I think there's a better way to do it," Moceanu told HBO. "Bottom line, I've had several coaches after the Karolyis. And I know it can be done in a healthier way physically and emotionally."

Moceanu accused the Karolyis in the interview of limiting what she could eat and showing little compassion to her and other girls they trained. She retired in 2000 and a comeback attempt in 2006 ended when USA Gymnastics rejected her petition to compete at the national championships because she wasn't physically ready.

But Kim Zmeskal Burdette, who trained with the Karolyis and is now a coach, defended the Karolyis and the current training system, saying she wouldn't be involved if it were unhealthy or unfair.

"I absolutely disagree," said Zmeskal Burdette, who was the first U.S. woman to win the world title and now coaches up-and-comer Chelsea Davis.

"Being part of this process — especially just coming from the Olympic selection camp — we trust in this system, and we feel like it's produced great gymnasts. These girls are tighter than they ever have been."

It was the Olympic team selection process that Moceanu was particularly critical of in a phone interview with The Associated Press yesterday. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin earned spots after finishing 1-2 at last month's Olympic trials, but the remaining four members were named Saturday after a two-day selection camp at the Karolyi ranch.

"I think we need more fairness in the sport and a more transparent set of rules," Moceanu said. "I think (the selection process) takes away part of being an Olympian and what becoming an Olympian is. Getting there is important, and I think that should be rewarded in front of all the people cheering for you.

"Why make them run through another set of tests?"

Other gymnasts feel the same way, she said, but she declined to name them because she doesn't want to put anyone in a predicament.