LA wildfire destroys US Olympian Gary Hall Jr's home, Olympic medals
Gary Hall Jr won 10 Olympic medals, including five golds, and six World Championship medals during his career. Photo: AFP
Former US Olympian Gary Hall Jr., known for his outstanding swimming career, has expressed the heartbreaking loss of irreplaceable items, including his 10 Olympic medals, in the devastating Palisades wildfire that struck on January 7th.
Hall, who won 10 Olympic medals, including five golds, and six World Championship medals during his career, shared the emotional details of the fire’s impact during an interview.
The swimmer described seeing the wildfire quickly approach his home, leaving him with just minutes to escape.
“I thought I had more time,” Hall told CNN. “I saw the fire charging down the hill and knew that I had to get out of there. I opened up the back of my SUV, I loaded a painting, one other object... By the time I was going back in from that run, hot embers were raining down from the sky.”
Despite his best efforts to retrieve his medals, which were stored in a closet in his bedroom just 70 feet away, Hall said the fire’s rapid spread left him with no time to return for them. “It wasn’t easy to leave that behind,” he reflected. “I worked a lifetime to achieve that and the memories remain, but the souvenir is gone.”
In the midst of the chaos, Hall managed to drive to the Palisades Village, where he arrived ahead of the fire. However, he witnessed the panic that ensued as the fire neared.
“There was one other car of a person that had fled in the parking lot, surrounded by five schools still in session... It went from an idyllic, peaceful Palisades village, descending into mayhem and panic,” Hall recalled, describing the frantic scene with parents desperately trying to reach their children.
Hall’s story is a reflection of the immense toll the fire has taken, not just in terms of property and possessions, but also in terms of memories tied to his sporting achievements.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for Hall, who lost his home, personal belongings, and possibly his Olympic medals in the fire.
Gary Hall Jr., diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999, represented the United States in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics. Despite the overwhelming loss, the GoFundMe page highlights Hall's resilience, stating, “Nothing can take away his spirit that won those medals.”