SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- At 29 years old, Olympic freestyle swimming specialist Gary Hall Jr. is the oldest swimmer to make the U.S. team in 80 years, and he's beating even more incredible odds.
Most people don't know that Hall has type-1 diabetes. He's living proof that diabetes doesn't have to hold an athlete back from his dreams.
At an age when many professional athletes have retired, Hall is competing in his third Olympic games. He has already won eight medals.
"I don't like the label 'old,' especially at age 29. I wanted more than anything at 21 to have the strength that I have now. You know, it just takes time and development," Hall said.
Hall's doctor says one of his top priorities is managing his diabetes. If not controlled, the disease could lead to serious long-term complications for Hall, not to mention dangerously low blood sugar while swimming.
"What Gary is doing right is that he's monitoring his blood glucose levels, really paying attention to them and doing what he needs to do to keep his blood sugar levels in the normal range. That's exactly what everybody else with diabetes needs to do to stay healthy," said Dr. Anne Peters of the University of Southern California Diabetes Program.
Hall uses a special gadget that helps many athletes with diabetes combine their disease management with exercise planning. One meter can record his blood sugar levels, exercise, food intake and medication. Hall and his doctor also use it to chart the information and make adjustments.
"There are so many people that are doing the same thing that I'm doing, and that's not letting diabetes interfere with their life, with their dreams, with their ambitions. And that's inspiring to me," Hall said.
Hall's achievements make him a hero to many people, but especially to children with diabetes.
He inspired me a lot, to not give up just because I have diabetes," said 11-year-old Chrissy from Carlsbad, Calif.
"He (Hall) says you can do anything you want. Diabetes can't stop you," said 9-year-old Collin from San Jose, Calif.
Hall is definitely a character. He's always flexing his muscles on the pool deck, making faces at the cameras. But when it comes to swimming and diabetes, he's serious and dedicated.
Other Rousources:UC Davis Medical Center: DiabetesCopyright 2005 by TheKCRAChannel. All rights reserved.
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