SafeSport Suspends US Gymnastics Coaches for Misconduct Allegations

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SafeSport Suspends US Gymnastics Coaches for Misconduct Allegations

SafeSport has suspended U.S. gymnastics coaches Al Fong and Armine Barutyan due to allegations of misconduct. The couple, founders of the Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE Center) in Blue Springs, Missouri, received the suspension on Monday for “physical and emotional misconduct,” as detailed in SafeSport’s disciplinary database.

Background on Coaches and Their Achievements

Fong and Barutyan have a long history in gymnastics, having coached numerous Olympic and world medalists. Their notable athletes include:

Leanne Wong
Kara Eaker
Terin Humphrey
Courtney McCool

Fong’s suspension is set to last until December 22, 2030, while Barutyan will be suspended for one year. Barutyan had recently been part of the U.S. coaching staff at the Junior World Championships and Junior Pan American Games.

GAGE’s Response to Allegations

In a statement posted on their Instagram account, GAGE expressed disappointment over the decision, asserting that the findings were made without eyewitness testimony. They contend that the outcome does not reflect the complete context of the case and they plan to pursue arbitration.

Arbitration Process

Respondents to SafeSport’s suspensions have a ten-day window to request an arbitration hearing. In the previous year, only 5.5 percent of cases went to arbitration, but 83 percent of those resulted in upheld suspensions according to SafeSport’s data.

SafeSport’s Role in Athlete Protection

Reports of misconduct have seen a significant increase since SafeSport’s inception. In 2017, there were 281 reports, escalating to 8,098 in 2024. A SafeSport spokesperson emphasized the importance of these reports for accountability and cultural change in sports.

Historical Context

Tragically, in the 1990s, two gymnasts who trained under Fong died while attempting to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team. Julissa Gomez passed away in 1991 after being paralyzed from a vaulting accident, and Christy Henrich died in 1994 due to health complications linked to severe eating disorders.