Gary Hall Jr. lost almost everything that he owned in the ongoing Los Angeles-area fires.
“I started feeling the embers raining down on me,” Hall told Sky News.
GettyGary Hall Jr won 10 Olympic medals for the United States[/caption]
“I wasn’t going to stick around to find out how much time I had before my house went up.”
While at least 24 people have died and more than 100,000 have been evacuated due to the fires, Hall was at least able to save his dog while grabbing insulin he uses to treat his diabetes.
But the 10-time Olympic medal winner lost all of his medals in a Pacific Palisades fire.
“I abandoned my home, my Olympic medals and everything of sentimental value that I posses,” said the 50-year-old Hall, who participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympics for the United States.
Hall was also forced to abandon his Olympic medals, which started in 1996 with four medals and included two golds.
He also won gold at Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.
In total, Hall won five golds, three silvers and two bronze medals.
While the LA fires keep blazing, news of Hall’s loss made its way around the globe.
On Monday, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach announced that Hall will receive replacements for his lost medals.
“The full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property,” Bach said.
x@skynewsHall was forced to suddenly leave his home because of a fire[/caption]
GettyHall during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta[/caption]
“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.”
Fans applauded the move and wished Hall the best.
“Priorities in the face of danger — glad he’s safe despite the loss,” one fan tweeted.
As an Olympian, Hall was known for “wrestling” antics including shadow boxing, flexing, and strutting onto a pool deck in red, white and blue boxing shorts.
Hall’s final Olympics was in 2004 at Athens.
He successfully defended his gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle, and won bronze in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
“They told me it couldn’t be done in ‘96, because I was too immature, and then they said in 2000 I had diabetes and it couldn’t be done,” Hall said.
“And this time I think they said I was too old.”
Hall and his father became the first father-son duo to compete and medal in three Olympic Games each.