American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. holds an original medal, that melted during the wildfires in Los Angeles that destroyed his home earlier this year, while wearing the replica Olympic medals that IOC ...

Gary Hall Jr.'s harrowing experience escaping the Los Angeles wildfires in January, and seeing his home engulfed in flames, was not the first time he was in a life-threatening situation.

FILE - U.S. swimmers Anthony Ervin, left, and Gary Hall Jr., center, who tied for the gold medal in the men's 50m freestyle, stand with Dutch swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband, right, who won the ...