Former U.S. national team swimmer Gary Hall Jr. scored 10 points. olympic medals The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Sunday that the athlete who lost his medal in the California wildfires will be provided with a replica of his medal during his active career.
The IOC issued a statement over the weekend following several incidents. Wildfires occur in Southern California At least 24 people were killed and more than 12,000 structures were destroyed.
On January 12, 2025, the wildfires are in their fifth day and are causing extensive damage to residential areas in Los Angeles.A panoramic view of residential areas that have been burnt down as fires continue to occur. (Lokman Vral Elibor/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“We stand in full solidarity with the people of Los Angeles and salute the tireless efforts of our firefighters and security forces,” the statement read. “Right now we must focus all our efforts on fighting the fires and protecting people and property.”
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IOC It also confirmed that Hall, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, will receive a replica of the medal he lost in the Pacific Palisades fire.
“We also learned that the great Olympian Gary Hall Jr. lost his medal in a fire. The IOC will provide him with a replica.”
Gary Hall Jr. of the United States listens to the national anthem after winning the gold medal in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics (August 20, 2004, in the main pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic) of Greece. Center in Athens. (Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
In an interview with sydney morning herald Last week, Hall recalled the first time she saw the fire in her neighborhood.
US swimmer Gary Hall JR loses Olympic gold medal in California wildfires: 'It's something I can't live without'
“I saw flames and houses flying off. There was also an explosion. We didn't have much time,” he said. “Sunset Boulevard was completely jammed. People were abandoning their cars and running for their lives, which the police were telling us to do. My girlfriend was trapped in her car around the smoke. Ta.”
Hall said he had enough time to get what he needed and left his medal behind.
“I thought about medals. I didn't have time to get them,” he told the magazine. “Everyone wants to know if the medals were burned? Yes, everything was burned. You can live without them. I think it's all just stuff. It takes a lot of effort to start over. What can I do?”
Gary Hall Jr. of the United States shows off his gold medal in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming at the main pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Center in Athens, Greece, August 20, 2004, during the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. . (Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
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Hall, 50, first won four medals at the Summer Games, including two golds, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Four years later, he brought home four more medals and two more at his last Games, the 2004 Athens Olympics.
In 2012, Hall was inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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