Former US Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. describes how quickly the Los Angeles wildfires enveloped his home, forcing him to leave his 10 Olympic medals behind to burn.

California

More than a thousand structures have been destroyed and lives lost as wildfires sweep across parts of Los Angeles.

LA Wildfires

Former US Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. was compelled to leave his gold medals behind as wildfires engulfed his home in Los Angeles. Hall recounted the swift progression of the fire, which left him with only moments to decide what to take as flames rapidly approached. He managed to retrieve a painting and one other item before hot embers began raining down, leaving him no time to return for his medals.

With the fire approaching at a rapid pace, Hall described the harrowing experience of seeing the flames charging down the hill. He had initially thought there would be more time but realized the urgent need to evacuate as embers started to fall on nearby houses. Despite his desire to save his ten Olympic medals, which were stored in a bedroom closet, the immediate threat forced him to prioritize safety.

Hall reflected on the difficulty of leaving behind items representing a lifetime of achievement. Though the medals are lost, he believes the memories of the experiences remain significant. The wildfires serve as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate and the tough decisions people face during such times.



Ex-Olympian forced to leave gold medals to burn in wildfires

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LA Wildfires