IOC Replaces Gary Hall Jr.’s 10 Olympic Medals Lost in Los Angeles Wildfires

In a heartfelt ceremony at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters, swimming legend Gary Hall Jr. received 10 replica Olympic medals to replace those lost in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The Pacific Palisades blaze, which ravaged Hall’s home four months ago, claimed his original five gold, three silver, and two bronze medals earned across the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens Games.

“I’ll do a better job of taking care of these,” Hall quipped, his humor shining through despite the loss. The 50-year-old, a Phoenix native, brought a deformed gold medal salvaged from the ashes, a poignant reminder of the fire’s toll. IOC President Thomas Bach called the event a “unique ceremony,” noting it was likely the first time such a replacement of 10 medals occurred at once, and hopefully the last.

Hall’s accolades include golds in the 50m freestyle and relay events, with standout performances in Sydney’s 50m freestyle and Atlanta’s 4x100m relays. Beyond the hardware, Hall emphasized the support from the Olympic community, saying, “Having friends and family, I am a very lucky man.” Their encouragement, he noted, carried him through the ordeal.

This gesture from the IOC not only restores a piece of Hall’s legacy but underscores the resilience of the human spirit. As Los Angeles gears up for the 2028 Olympics, Hall’s story reminds us that triumphs, like medals, can be reborn from adversity.