The Iowa-based company was under investigation by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Disciplinary Committee after it was revealed that the landing mats they sold to Nanjing 2014 were different to the ones tested in March 2012, and, therefore, non FIG-accredited.

The issue was picked up by an on-site representative from the FIG-accredited testing laboratory in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, who, under FIG procedure, "systematically verifies equipment used in competition".

Following the inspection, all mats were recalled and replaced with equipment obtained at the last minute from a gymnastic centre in Tianjin, China.

In its latest statement, the FIG confirmed that the Disciplinary Committee "has found that the American apparatus manufacturer American Athletic Inc has sold and delivered 20 centimetre landing mats since March 15, 2012 that are different from the mats tested and approved by the FIG Testing Institute."

According to the statement, "AAI has voluntarily agreed to a number of remedial actions, including an appropriate fine, and the matter has been resolved."

The landing mats at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games had to be replaced last minute by equipment acquired at a gymnastic centre in Tianjin, China ©Getty Images


The FIG refused to specify the fine when asked by insidethegames, however, they did say that one of their "remedial actions" was to "take out all non certified illustrated material of the catalogues, advertising campaigns, etc".

This is not the first time that the AAI has been fined for selling non-approved landing mats, with a similar situation occurring in March 2012 ahead of the American Cup at Madison Square Garden, New York.

On this occasion, AAI was forced to pay a $4,000 (£2,400/€3,000) fine and cover the cost of the disciplinary proceedings, bringing the total to $9,500 (£5,800/€7,400).

In addition, AAI also donated $60,000 (£37,000/€47,000) worth of new gymnastics apparatus selected by the FIG Foundation.

Despite the two disciplinary proceedings, the FIG said that "each case was separate" and that no special procedure would be put in place to avoid the issue cropping up again.

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September 2014: US manufacturer facing disciplinary proceedings after selling unapproved gymnastics mats to Nanjing 2014