Los Angeles wildfires: How Olympic chief plans on helping US swim legend affected by inferno

The ongoing Los Angeles wildfires have had a horrific impact on several sportspersons and sporting events. Multiple games of the NBA were postponed and the Los Angeles Rams’ National Football League (NFL) playoff game against Minnesota Vikings was moved to Glendale in Arizona.

Los Angeles FC’s Mexican striker Carlos Vela's house has been destroyed due to the fires, whereas Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick’s family lost their home in Pacific Palisades.

Another former athlete who has been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires is former American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. Hall, who is a 10-time Olympic medallist (Five gold, three silver and two bronze), was staying in a rented home at the Pacific Palisades area in Los Angeles.

More from Sports

Chennai Grand Masters 2025: Vincent Keymer leads despite being held by Arjun Erigaisi in Round 6 Graphics: How Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest female to defeat a Grandmaster

Gary Hall Jr loses several belongings including Olympic medals 

Gary lost several belongings, including a swimming pool as well as all of his 10 Olympic medals as he was forced to evacuate amid the raging fires. Gary only took along his dog with him, an insulin which he uses to treat diabetes, a painting depicting his grandfather and a religious artifact. “I was getting pelted by embers on that first run,” Hall told the Los Angeles Times. “So I grabbed my dog and some dog food, and that was it,” he added.

How IOC promises to help Gary Hall Jr 

Gary had won his 10 medals across three editions of the Olympics in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, has pledged to help Gary and has promised that the 50-year-old would be given replica of those medals that he lost.

“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,” Bach was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

“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,” he added.