IOC Will Replace Gary Hall Jr.'s Olympic Medals Destroyed in Los Angeles Wildfires

The International Olympic Committee plans to replace the 10 medals swimmer Gary Hall Jr. lost when his home was destroyed in the California wildfires last week.

IOC president Thomas Bach issued a statement regarding the matter on Sunday per USA Today's Tom Schad.

"We are in full solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and full of admiration for the tireless work of the firefighters and the security forces," Bach said. "Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property."

Hall, 50, competed for America from 1996 to 2004, winning five gold medals, three silvers and two bronzes between the Atlanta Games, Sydney Games and Athens Games.

According to The Los Angeles Times' Chuck Schilken, Hall fled his house in Pacific Palisades, California, last week, taking with him only his Type 1 diabetes, a painting of his grandfather and a religious artifact. He said he planned to retrieve his medals but didn't have time.

"I was getting pelted by embers on that first run," Hall said. "So I grabbed my dog and some dog food, and that was it."

While Hall won't have the exact medals he lost in the tragic fires, he'll at least get to have a keepsake to remember his accomplishments from the Olympics thanks to the IOC.