Gary Hall on ESPN
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October 20. U.S. OLYMPIC champion Gary Hall, Jr., will represent the U.S. Olympic swim team tonight at ESPN's annual "Arete" awards. The awards ceremony will air on ESPN on November 9.
Hall, who won two gold, a silver and a bronze medal in Sydney–more than any other American male in any sport–will accept the prestigious award, which is given to honor athletes whose extraordinary courage has allowed them to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in sport. Hall,a Type I diabetic, almost quit the sport last year after he was diagnosed. Instead, he made a comeback, recording an American record (and the second fastest time in history) in the 50 meter freestyle at the US Olympic Trials. In Sydney, he and Phoenix Swim Club teammate Anthony Ervin tied for the gold in the 50.