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

 

[RedBirdie]

Tangentially related, Sophia Martin is at Avoine. Previously she was at GAGE (and before that, WOGA). She's a Spanish national, she did the British development program, has competed at Spanish nationals, and was at Combs la Ville representing Avoine finishing 3rd AA in the Youth division.

The Crains are reportedly at Avoine.

 

[MaryClare]

Tangentially related, Sophia Martin is at Avoine. Previously she was at GAGE (and before that, WOGA). She's a Spanish national, she did the British development program, has competed at Spanish nationals, and was at Combs la Ville representing Avoine finishing 3rd AA in the Youth division.

The Crains are reportedly at Avoine.

WOGA, GAGE and Avoine. Valeri Liukin, Al Fong and Marc Chirilcenco. Just letting that process

 

[RedBirdie]

Looking at her instagram and her website, her parents are absolutely bonkers. Yes, let's move all over the world in search of a gym that will take our 7 year old during Covid!

Sophia Martin - Young Gymnastic Athlete

Welcome to the website of gymnast Sophia Martin, here you can visit all the information about the career of this promising young international gymnast, her history, her results and more. site managed by her parents.

www.sophia-martin.com

https://www.instagram.com/sophiam_gymnastics/

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

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.

It's so weird.

Even for people who evidently don't care about the trail of bodies behind Al, if you're willing and able to move around to the level this family are... why those two? They're not that amazing!

 

[MaryClare]

Looking at her instagram and her website, her parents are absolutely bonkers. Yes, let's move all over the world in search of a gym that will take our 7 year old during Covid!

Sophia Martin - Young Gymnastic Athlete

Welcome to the website of gymnast Sophia Martin, here you can visit all the information about the career of this promising young international gymnast, her history, her results and more. site managed by her parents.

www.sophia-martin.com

https://www.instagram.com/sophiam_gymnastics/

Looks like she started out in Dubai. Then she was Aylesbury in GB where the Gadirova twins train. Then woga, gage and now avoine.

 

[MaryClare]

It's so weird.

Even for people who evidently don't care about the trail of bodies behind Al, if you're willing and able to move around to the level this family are... why those two? They're not that amazing!

My impression from their social media over the last couple of years is that they were very much bought into the cult of GAGE

 

[RedBirdie]

I feel like everyone at GAGE has bought into the Cult of GAGE. Otherwise, why would you be there? Especially those who relocate from out of state. I've always been fascinated by the number of families that move from far away to go to GAGE. I have no idea what the attraction is, yet people flock there despite the history and rather limited success of their gymnasts.

 

[Hatsumomo]

I have always seriously questioned the parents who willingly sent their daughters to GAGE after 1994. Out of all the coaches, why the one with two dead gymnasts? How can abuse within the sport be seriously combated with parents willingly throwing their children to the wolves? And for a coach who doesn't really have the Olympic pedigree. He's had only two actually make it onto the Olympic team and one was benched the whole time. Since then, he's had gymnasts who repeatedly fall short.

I feel for the gymnasts thrown in flux for situations beyond their control, but I can't say I'm unhappy with this. This should have happened 30 years ago, but now is good, too.

 

[rlayt]

Several gyms had that kind of cult around them. They must have been persuasive. I’m glad we see more now of a distribution.