Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. loses 10 medals and home in Palisades fire

Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. had to evacuate his Pacific Palisades home due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. With more than 5,000 buildings destroyed, Hall grabbed his dog, some essentials, and left, leaving behind his 10 Olympic medals. Hall and his girlfriend faced chaotic traffic as they tried to escape the fires, eventually seeking refuge with family. A GoFundMe campaign started by his sister has raised nearly $59,000 to help Hall rebuild his life. He plans to find new housing, restart his business, and move forward. Hall is overwhelmed by the support from friends and the community, but is focused on helping others affected by the fires, particularly the families he taught to swim. As he grapples with the loss of his home and possessions, Hall remains optimistic about the future and the possibility of rebuilding from the ground up.

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