TMZSports.com
Former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. says escaping the wildfires in Los Angeles this week was a terrifying experience as she only had seconds to get out, and it’s clear she’s disappointed she couldn’t save her Games medals as she was forced to evacuate.
The 50-year-old, who earned 10 gold medals at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics, sat Harvey and: Charles on “TMZ Live” Thursday to detail how she survived the Los Angeles fire this week … and she said it was anything but easy.
Hall Jr. says the fire spread so quickly to him and his home. he only had “probably three minutes tops” to grab some things and get out.
The US Olympic Hall of Famer said she took her dog, some insulin, a picture of her grandfather and a religious thing… and she spun.
Minutes later, he said he was on the phone with his girlfriend, who was only miles away, trying to help her find a route away from the fire.
“He was trapped,” Hall Jr. said, “and he sees people jump out of their cars and start running for their lives.”
Luckily, both she and Hall Jr. made it to safety … but she said she’s heartbroken prize medals did not succeed with him.
“I really wanted to pass them on to my kids,” she said.
Still, Hall Jr. is thankful to be okay … and obviously his thoughts and prayers go out to everyone still dealing with the effects of the fires.
