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Reuters

American former swimmer Gary Hall Junior is set to receive replicas of the 10 Olympic medals he lost in the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed his home, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said.
Hall represented the United States at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics, winning five gold, three silver and two bronze medals in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens.
The 50-year-old was forced to leave the medals behind at his Pacific Palisades home during the fires.
“I’m too proud to ask for help, but my worldly possessions right now are the clothes that I was wearing and a toothbrush that I bought yesterday,” Hall told the Los Angeles Times.
“My 10 Olympic medals, everything else I owned, and my home and my business were lost.”

Bach said the IOC was in “full solidarity” with the people of Los Angeles.
“Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property,” Bach said.
“We have also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jnr, has lost his medals in the fire. The IOC will provide him with replicas.”
At the Australian Open tennis tournament, meanwhile, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek used their first-round victories to send messages of support to California amid the devastating wildfires.
American Gauff wrote “Stay strong LA. Thank you firefighters” on the camera lens after her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Sofia Kenin, while Swiatek put “Sending my love to Malibu and LA”.
Huge amounts of damage has already been caused around Los Angeles and lives lost, with the threat of more to come.


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IOC (International Olympic Committee)

Gary Hall Jnr with his gold medal from the 50-metre freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Hall competed at the 1996 and 2000 Games as well, winning five gold, three silver and two bronze medals in all. Photo: TNS

Coco Gauff writes a message of support on a camera after her win over fellow American Sofia Kenin. Photo: AFP

The Olympic rings being reinstalled at the waterfront in Tokyo on December 1, 2020. Morinari Watanabe has proposed hosting the Games across five cities at once. AFP

Gymnastics chief Morinari Watanabe is seen as a long shot to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC head. Photo: AFP

2034 Fifa World Cup still Hong Kong’s goal, Kai Tak can boost interest: Eric Fok Q&A

Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground will get regular use as a venue for Hong Kong Premier League football. Photo: Sam Tsang

HKFA chairman Eric Fok said creating a clear career path for young players was vital for the city. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The FA has sounded out local clubs about using Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground as a home stadium. Photo: POOL

Sport

Other Sport

Tennis

The 50-year-old former US swimmer forced to leave behind the 10 medals he won over 3 Games at his Pacific Palisades home during the fires


The 50-year-old former US swimmer forced to leave behind the 10 medals he won over 3 Games at his Pacific Palisades home during the fires.


Australian Open