So, I had the pleasure to hang out with him for quite a while today. I was asked to take a few publicity photos of him, for his dad, Gary Hall Sr. and Rowdy Gaines.
I was very pleasantly surprised, Jr. is a very nice and very personable guy. I thought perhaps he'd have a hot shot attitude... Not even close.
As I was asking him to make couple poses for the camera, for the publicity, he and he did... and we chuckled about them, he made a comment something to the effect of, about I dunno why people take some of that so negatively, and think I'm a total jerk :(
He seemed pretty genuinely bummed out.
I was thinking how he is always being asked to pose and do publicity things, and do some showing off or what not, then it turns around and ends up giving him a bad rep.
Later on introduced him to a massage therapist friend of mine who works on a lot of pro athletes, to work on him and they can compare notes, and Gary's first response was, oh, that would be so nice but, aren't there people here that need it a lot more then I do, they'll say, what does he need *that for*.... he was all embarrassed, and rather humble about it.
He's the kind of a guy that wouldn't squish a bug! I mean literally.
As we were sitting and chatting, a June bug landed, he reached for it, and I reacted, oh, no, don't hurt it!
Before he had a chance to respond, I realized that he proceeded to check it out and started petting it with one finger, saying hi little guy...
Former Member
Okay, okay, I'll take the swinging bat and stand up:
Connie, thanks for posting that. Apparently, I was very wrong in my opinion of GH, Jr, and I apologize (if you'd like me to apologize to Gary, I'd be more than happy. Just point me in his direction, hehe)
All good swimmers are in the forefront and are tagged with critical remarks by every one who is jealous. Gary is a great swimmer and takes the rath of the not so great.
My father always told me be the best and think you are the best.
Thanks for the great story on GH jr.! I never knew much about him previously, but am now a full fan!
As for the publicity shots and stunts that got him his rep.
It's as if someone were joking around and posing for fun and being silly in front of a camera, then the shots were shown to someone else. The feeling and lightness during the photo shoot may be very different from what shows through on the photo. This is really unfortunate for some and it sounds like it may be what happened in Gary's case..
of course I may be way off.
Anyway, great story and thanks for sharing!
Go Gary!!! (both jr and sr!)
I forgot how tall Gary Hall, Jr. is!
I took a bunch of pictures of him before the 50 fly because he was right in front of our team area- a Kodak photo spot :)
I was explaining to my son, pointing at Hall, Jr. that he is one of the fastest swimmers of all time. He said, "Faster than Kerry (O'Brien)?"
I said, "Yup."
"But I bet he's not faster than the Flash!"
Ah, the world of a 5 year old... he didn't even want to meet Dara Torres last Wednesday! I've got a lot of indoctrinating to do :p
Connie- I agree I don't know who is cuter, Jr. or Sr. Dad strikes me as one of those men that get handsomer the older they get.
Originally posted by aquageek
I will say he is beloved in the medical professional diabetes community. (snip) Apparently there are periodic articles about him in some of the more prestigious diabetes magazines.
I believe he is featured in Anne Peters' "Conquering Diabetes" book that recently came out. He is featured underpatient stories on her website - there is a great quote from him.
I think he's an awesome swimmer and a wonderful role model too.
Originally posted by Sam Perry
I still wonder why he doesn't get the atttention he deserves while being stricken with such a difficult illness.
I will say he is beloved in the medical professional diabetes community. My mom, who wouldn't know an IM from a BMW, asked me the other day "you ever hear of this Gary Hall fellow?" She's a diabetes educator at a large teaching hospital. Apparently there are periodic articles about him in some of the more prestigious diabetes magazines.
I sat with Gary briefly before my 50 fly, and had a brief conversation. I thanked him for swimming at the meet, and that it meant a lot to the swimmers there. I joked about picking up some sprinter speed by proximity (I know, but I am not very good with small talk with current Olympians.)
He was soft spoken and friendly. However, that is what I expected. What surprised me was that well before his event he was going through the exercises that I used to call 'sprinter psyche up'. These include rapid breathing, deep breaths, twitches, and a sometimes vacant stare. This was not a couple of heats before his swim, but many heats before his swim.
I am sure that the primary reason for his presence was to raise money and support for the Sprint Club, but he took the event he swam very seriously.
It meant a lot to me.
This morning I picked up my cna pf shving cream & gary Hall, Jr. was smiling down at me. His story was onthe can. Swimming appears in some of the strangest places!
