The International Olympic Committee says it will present a new set of medals to multiple Olympic swimming medallist Gary Hall Jr of the United States after the ten he won at three Olympic games were destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires.
Hall had to evacuate from his home in Pacific Palisades last week as fire swept through the neighbourhood.
He said he fled taking only his dog, the insulin he uses to treat his diabetes, a painting of his grandfather, and a religious artifact.
The 50-year-old was unable to return to the house to get the five gold, three silver and two bronze medals he won at Olympic Games from 1996-2004.
Hall who ran into the house during the blaze, he if he could’ve stayed 30 seconds longer he probably could have gotten the medals but added that he wasn’t willing to take that risk.
President of the IOC Thomas Bach said today that Hall will be given replica medals.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick also had his house destroyed in the Palisades fire
The NBA had postponed the Lakers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday and called off their showdown against the Clippers on Saturday saying they did not want to divert resources from the wildfire response.
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