Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. lost his home and 10 Olympic medals in the Los Angeles wildfires last week, and exclusively tells PEOPLE that he's 'touched' the IOC is sending him replicas of the priceless medals.

The International Olympic Committee announced it will replace 10 medals left behind by Gary Hall Jr. as he fled the fires in Los Angeles County. Hall, a type 1 diabetic, only took his dog and insulin when he fled the Palisades Fire last week.

OF COURSE, WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE CHECKING Former U.S. Olympian Gary Hall Jr. won 10 Olympic medals and six world championship medals in his swimming career. He believes he’s lost them all in the Palisades wildfire, he said to the Sydney Morning ...

The IOC will replace the 10 medals that American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. lost when the California wildfires destroyed his home last week.

Hall Jr. said he didn’t want to leave the medals behind, but the Pacific Palisades resident had no other choice as his home burned down.

“Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property. We have also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jr., has lost his medals in the fire. The IOC will provide him with replicas.”

Three-time United States Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. said Wednesday that he lost his Pacific Palisades home and nearly all of his possessions due to

American swimmer Gary Hall Jr. will receive replicas of the 10 Olympic medals he left behind while fleeing the Los Angeles wildfires, the IOC said.

U.S. swimmer Gary Hall Jr. left behind his 10 Olympic medals while fleeing the Los Angeles fires with his dog, Puddles. On Sunday, he learned that they will be replaced. The International Olympic Committee announced in a statement from president Thomas Bach that it will provide new medals to replace those that Hall lost in the fires.

The home Hall was renting in Pacific Palisades, California, and using as the base for his business was consumed by the fire, destroying almost all his possessions − including his 10 Olympic medals.From NFL plays to college sports scores,

Olympic gold medalist Gary Hall Jr. will receive replicas of the 10 medals he lost to the Los Angeles wildfires last week, the International Olympic Committee said.