USA Gymnastics Terminates Elite Club’s Membership Amid SafeSport Violations

USA Gymnastics has formally terminated the member club status of Great American Gymnastics Express, also known as GAGE, effective immediately.

This decision follows “alleged ongoing non-compliance” with the U.S. Center for SafeSport suspensions and the SafeSport Code, according to an official notice sent to club parents.

The development comes after the U.S. Center for SafeSport suspended the club’s longtime owners, U.S. Olympic coaches Alvin ‘Al’ Fong and Armine Barutyan-Fong, for alleged emotional and physical misconduct in December 2025.

Al Fong founded Great American Gymnastics Express in Blue Springs, Missouri, in 1979, and his wife, Armine, joined forces as a co-owner in the 90s.

Throughout their lengthy coaching careers, the husband-and-wife duo trained multiple Olympic and world medalists. They have also been the subject of ongoing coaching controversy.

Their suspension came after a lengthy investigation into their alleged misconduct, which dates back to 2020. The investigation reportedly stemmed from roughly 40 allegations of abuse, spanning from the early 2000s to the 2020s (Orange County Register).

New Leadership Ushers New Suspensions

In response to the Fongs’ suspensions in late 2025, GAGE reportedly appointed Karla Grimes as the club owner on February 12, followed by Tiffany Davenport on February 18. Both women were subsequently suspended by SafeSport for “ongoing non-compliance” with the SafeSport code.

Nearly a week after the fourth and final suspension, USA Gymnastics officially terminated the club’s membership. The parents of GAGE athletes were notified in an email on the same date.

In the correspondence, USA Gymnastics briefed parents and guardians on the termination and implications for athletes and upcoming competitions.

The organization reiterated that the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s suspensions strictly prohibit these individuals from participating in any USAG-sanctioned activities, training, or events.

The suspended individuals cannot:

1. Be involved in any way with USAG member clubs, USAG events, or activities involving USAG members (like athletes or coaches)
2. Participate in training, travel, lodging, or treatment (such as physical therapy or sports medicine) related to any USAG activities or events
3. Enter any facility where USAG club activities are happening—even if they claim they’re there for a different reason
4. Train or coach USAG member athletes anywhere—not in-person, not online, not at all
5. Be spectators at a meet inside a USA Gymnastics member club.

USAG clarified that these restrictions apply regardless of property ownership or business interests, meaning suspended individuals may not enter facilities where USAG club activities are occurring or coach athletes in any capacity, including in-person or online.

Key Deadlines for Athletes

Athletes currently registered with GAGE remain eligible to compete in USAG-sanctioned events only through March 2, 2026. GAGE will remain in the USA Gymnastics member database through the same date.

Following this grace period, any athlete still affiliated with GAGE will be ineligible for all USAG competitions, including state, regional, and national championships, until they register with a new member club in good standing.

Parents are being directed to the USAG Membership Department to facilitate transfers to new clubs to maintain their athletes’ competitive eligibility.