Gary Hall Jr. Receives 10 Olympic Medals After Tragic Fire

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimming champion Gary Hall Jr. set a historic record Monday by replacing all 10 of his Olympic medals at the International Olympic Committee headquarters. This unprecedented event comes after his original medals were destroyed in a fire that swept through Los Angeles four months ago.

During the emotional ceremony, Hall Jr. received a new set consisting of five golds, three silvers, and two bronzes, which he earned representing the United States at the Summer Games from 1996 to 2004.

“I’ll do a better job of taking care of these,” Hall Jr. quipped. The fire destroyed his medals at his home in the Pacific Palisades, an area that will host the Summer Games in 2028.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach described the presentation of ten medals at once as “a unique ceremony,” hoping it would be a first and last occurrence. “We hope to give you a moment of relief and joy to help you heal from this tragedy,” Bach stated.

Hall Jr. expressed gratitude for the support he received from family, friends, and former teammates during this challenging time. He acknowledged the significant role his community played, saying, “Having friends and family, I am a very lucky man. Their support has buoyed me through the darkest of nights.”

Bringing a deformed gold medal that he recovered after fleeing during the fire, Hall Jr. reflected on its significance. “It’s got some character,” he noted, emphasizing that the value of friendships surpasses material possessions. “Character cannot be taken away, it cannot be burned, and it cannot be lost,” he added.

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, a rival and friend, was among the first to reach out to Hall Jr. after the fires. Hall Jr. mentioned the impact of Thorpe’s call: “I don’t know how he knew, but that’s what this Olympic family is about — rivals and friends. I can’t thank the Olympic movement enough for their support.”

As he looked towards the future, he shared his excitement for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, recalling his youth during the 1984 Games. “This inspired me more than any genetic inheritance or family tradition,” he said.