SafeSport Suspends Elite Gymnastics Coaches Al Fong & Armine Barutyan After Misconduct Findings

The United States Center for SafeSport has suspended renowned gymnastics coaches Al Fong and Armine Barutyan following findings of physical and emotional misconduct, according to its disciplinary database. The decision, announced on December 24, 2025, marks one of the most high-profile enforcement actions in recent years aimed at strengthening athlete safety standards in U.S. Olympic sports.

Fong, a long-time figure in American gymnastics coaching and co-founder of the Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE) in Blue Springs, Missouri, has been suspended through December 22, 2030. His wife and coaching partner, Barutyan, a former Soviet Union gymnast, received a one-year suspension. Both penalties stem from SafeSport’s findings related to physical and emotional misconduct.

Over several decades, Fong and Barutyan built GAGE into one of the nation’s most recognised gymnastics training centres. The facility has produced numerous U.S. Olympic and world-level gymnasts, playing a significant role in shaping elite careers. However, Fong’s coaching methods have long drawn scrutiny. Previous investigations highlighted allegations of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, concerns that periodically followed him throughout his career.

The suspensions come amid a broader shift in how misconduct allegations in elite sports are addressed. Established by the U.S. Congress in 2017, SafeSport oversees abuse prevention and response across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. The organisation has reported a sharp rise in complaints, with cases exceeding 8,000 in 2024, reflecting growing awareness of athlete welfare and improved reporting mechanisms.

GAGE has publicly expressed its disagreement with SafeSport’s findings. In statements shared on social media, the gymnastics centre reiterated its commitment to athlete safety while criticising the process that led to the sanctions. GAGE claims the conclusions were reached without eyewitness testimony and has indicated plans to pursue arbitration in an effort to overturn the suspensions.

Under SafeSport rules, respondents have a 10-day window to request arbitration. This process involves an independent adjudicator reviewing the evidence to determine whether the sanctions should be upheld. The outcome could significantly impact not only the professional futures of Fong and Barutyan but also broader gymnastics coaching oversight in the United States.

The suspension of such influential figures signals a notable shift in accountability within competitive gymnastics. As SafeSport continues to investigate misconduct claims, athletes and parents alike are increasingly calling for greater transparency, fair adjudication, and proactive protection measures.

While SafeSport’s mandate focuses on safeguarding athletes rather than imposing punishment without due process, its actions reinforce a clear stance against abusive behaviour. The organisation evaluates complaints, implements preventive measures such as no-contact directives, and, where warranted, issues long-term suspensions.

As the gymnastics community processes these developments, the outcome of any arbitration proceedings and the response from athletes, governing bodies, and coaching organisations will be closely watched. The case may carry lasting implications for coaching standards, athlete protections, and youth sports safety nationwide.