HomeAquaticsLOS ANGELES FIRES: IOC’s Bach says Gary Hall Jr.’s 10 Olympic medals will be replaced; swimmer shares...

LOS ANGELES FIRES: IOC’s Bach says Gary Hall Jr.’s 10 Olympic medals will be replaced; swimmer shares video of destroyed home site

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≡ SCENE & HEARD ≡

“We are in full solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and full of admiration for the tireless work of the firefighters and the security forces. Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property.

“We have also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jr., has lost his medals in the fire. The IOC will provide him with replicas.”

That’s from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) on X early this morning, Pacific time, with good news for American swim star Gary Hall Jr. amid the continuing fires in Southern California.

The hardest-hit area has been Pacific Palisades, where Hall was renting a home which was destroyed when the Palisades Fire exploded on 7 January and has consumed 23,713 acres and 5,000 structures as of Sunday morning.

On a GoFundMe page for Hall Jr., his situation was described:

“Gary Jr. lost his home and his livelihood in the devastating Palisades Fire on January 7th. Gary saw flames out his window while he was at home before collecting his dog, Puddles, his insulin, a painting of his grandfather, and a religious wooden piece his daughter Gigi gave him and drove towards the ocean as quickly as possible.

“He was forced to leave behind everything else he owned, such as irreplaceable family heirlooms, photos, and more. He has also most likely lost his ten Olympic medals, but nothing can take away his spirit that won those medals. Gary was renting a home located right in the middle of the Palisades Fire which had a pool where he taught swim lessons to children through his business, Sea Monkeys Swimming.”

He eventually got to San Diego to stay with family last Wednesday. On Saturday, he posted a short video and added:

“Here it is. Or rather, here it isn’t. My home, minus the home. Not gonna lie, it was tough to see this. National Guard is still keeping residents out of the area. I’ll head over with a shovel when they open it up and go digging for gold, like the California prospectors from a couple centuries back.

“Thank you again to so many people. I feel the love. It means so much. Please allow me time to respond to those who’ve reached out. I’ve been a bit distracted lately.”

The GoFundMe appeal has had excellent response, with $73,620 raised from a $50,000 goal as of Sunday morning.

Bach’s support to replace the Olympic medals will set the IOC staff to work; Hall Jr. won 10 medals from 1996 through 2004:

Atlanta 1996 (4): Gold medals in the men’s 4×100 m Free, men’s 4×100 m Medley, silvers in the 50 m and 100 m Freestyles.

Sydney 2000 (4): Golds in the 50 m Free and 4×100 m Medley, silver in the 4×100 m Free, bronze in the 100 m Free.

Athens 2004 (2): Gold in the 50 m Free, bronze in the 4×100 m Free.

Now 50, Hall also won six medals (3-3-0) in the FINA World Championships and three Pan American Games medals (1-1-1) from 1995 to 2007. He was a showman on the deck, often with a shadow-boxing routine that made him a popular figure.

He posted an Instagram video on Saturday showing the complete destruction of the home, with added graphics reading:

“Heartbroken
“Thank you to all who have reached out expressing sympathy and support”

He added in the text section:

“Having love is more important than having things. All worldly possessions are gone. Home is gone. Business is gone. The support from the community is so appreciated. Thank you to all who have generously contributed to the GoFundMe campaign to help me get back on my feet.”

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