American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. received 10 replicas of his Olympic medals from IOC President Thomas Bach during an emotional private ceremony at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland. This gesture aims to compensate for the loss of his original medals, which were destroyed in a fire that swept through his Los Angeles neighborhood earlier this year.
Hall Jr.’s medals, earned across three editions of the Olympic Games (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004), were replaced following the IOC’s announcement to provide replicas after learning of his story. During the ceremony, Thomas Bach expressed his admiration for the swimmer: “I cannot express how much we admire you, not just for the medals, but for how you overcame this tragedy with the resilience, courage, and confidence that defined you as an athlete.”
An emotional moment
After receiving the replicas, Hall Jr. shared his gratitude: “I’m overwhelmed, and it’s hard to find the words right now. I want to express my gratitude, first and foremost, to the Olympic Movement for their support during this very difficult time.” He also displayed two gold medals from Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 that had melted and fused together during the fire, adding an even more poignant touch to the event.
Hall Jr. reflected on the meaning of solidarity and the value of human relationships in the face of material loss: “The value of friends surpasses that of objects, and character cannot be destroyed, burned, or lost. What we carry inside, our spirit, our essence, that is what matters. We live in an era of capitalism and consumerism, and when you lose everything, you realize how little you truly need.”
Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028
The swimmer also expressed his excitement for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games: “I was 10 years old when Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games in 1984, and I was old enough to understand the magnitude and importance of this event. It inspired me more than any genetic heritage or family tradition.”
As part of the ceremony, Hall Jr. signed the Wall of Olympians at the Olympic House, leaving his mark in an iconic place for the Olympic Movement.
