GAGE coaches Al Fong and Armine Barutyan suspended by SafeSport (Pending appeal) 2/26/26: USAG terminates GAGE membership

[cftmoonlight79]

Omg if they switch countries i will be so sad A new level of juniors breaking hearts.

 

[Ginger]

There has been some speculation they are looking into changing nationalities but there isnt much concrete yet backing that up. Neither are on US national team anymore which is adding to the speculation.

Following abusive coaches to new country is just insane from the parents. There are a lot of good options in the US that wouldn't hurt their kids ability to represent the US yet they seem committed to standing behind the Fong's at this stage.

I think since they weren't competing at Winter Cup they couldn't stay on US national team roster? Wasn't that option for seniors only?
Anyway if their goal is changing nationality to France, good luck with that. French federation needs to act like they are anti-abuse after all their fight with Chirilcenco.
South Korea maybe. But if they train under Fong, I doubt they would stay healthy. Lavi had already enough problems by the end of last season.

 

[RedBirdie]

I guess the plan was the Crains move to France, and Al and Armine either coach them there or direct their training virtually in concert with coaches in France. But the Crains would still technically compete for GAGE with other GAGE coaches with them at US domestic competitions.

GAGE as a gym getting suspended by USAG is throwing a bit of a wrench in this plans.

The whole thing sounds utterly fucking insane, but then I remember the Crains uprooted their young, albeit very talented children, to pursue elite gymnastics at GAGE. Could have gone to any elite gym in the country, but they opted for GAGE, of all places. These are no sane and reasonable parents by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Ginger]

The whole thing sounds utterly fucking insane, but then I remember the Crains uprooted their young, albeit very talented children, to pursue elite gymnastics at GAGE. Could have gone to any elite gym in the country, but they opted for GAGE, of all places. These are no sane and reasonable parents by any stretch of the imagination.

I was thinking maybe they were Air Force family. I know both areas, Coeur D'Alene is within reasonable driving distance to Fairchild AFB and so is GAGE to Whiteman AFB. Of course, that 'military family' part is my pure speculation, my first though when i first saw Lavi Crain and found out she came from Coeur d'Alene.

Which also reminds me... Xtreme Gymnastics is in Lee's Summit, not far from Blue Springs, and they have strong optional program, also used to have an elite (Clara Wallace), so it could be a temporary solution for some of the gymnasts, just to finish the season. I doubt they could take many gymnasts, but maybe if the 'good' GAGE coaches move with them they could let them to use the facility during off-hours?

 

[Passion]

I was thinking maybe they were Air Force family. I know both areas, Coeur D'Alene is within reasonable driving distance to Fairchild AFB and so is GAGE to Whiteman AFB. Of course, that 'military family' part is my pure speculation, my first though when i first saw Lavi Crain and found out she came from Coeur d'Alene.

The Crain's dad is a videographer. On the mom's Instagram back in 2021 she says that they moved for the kids' gym.

 

[Ginger]

The Crain's dad is a videographer. On the mom's Instagram back in 2021 she says that they moved for the kids' gym.

It is even on his web page, the link you provided

 

[Passion]

It is even on his web page, the link you provided
View attachment 13602

haha I missed that completely, I didn't even read the site I just clicked right on the About Me section to see if I had the right Crain.

 

[rlayt]

Is Al and Armine’s daughter still doing gymnastics too? If so this will have an major impact on her.

 

[Ginger]

Is Al and Armine’s daughter still doing gymnastics too? If so this will have an major impact on her.

Yes first year level 10

 

[MaryClare]

The Crains moving to France is wild. Uprooting the family to the other side of the world at a moments notice. Not many people can feasibly do that. It would suggest that one of the parents has EU nationality, as it’s not easy nor quick to get a visa to live in France.

 

[Rich]

I hope they will still compete for the us