Gary Hall Jr to receive new Olympic medals to replace his lost in LA fires
Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. will receive a new set of medals after his body was destroyed in a Los Angeles wildfire, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has confirmed.
Three-time Olympia Hall had to evacuate from his home in Pacific Palisades last week as fires swept through the neighborhood.
He said he fled with only his dog, insulin to treat diabetes, a painting by his grandfather and a religious artifact.
The 50-year-old was unable to return home to claim the five gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals he won at the Olympics between 1996 and 2004.
“On my first run, I got hit by an ember,” Hall told the Los Angeles Times. “So I grabbed my dog ​​and some dog food and that was it.
“Could I have stayed 30 seconds longer and maybe won a medal? I wasn’t willing to take that risk.”
Bach said in a post on X that Hall will receive a replica medal.
“We stand in total solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and have full admiration for the tireless efforts of our firefighters and security forces,” he said.
“Currently, the focus must be on extinguishing fires and protecting people and property.
“We also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jr., lost his medal in a fire. The IOC will provide him with a replica.”
