American sprinter Arman Hall arrives home after winning gold in Rio

Halls says competing in 2016 Olympics was 'amazing experience'

MIAMI ā€“ U.S.Ā  sprinter Arman "Gino" Hall is among the proud Americans who won a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympic Games, and Tuesday he received a warm welcome home in Miami.

Hall's proud parents spoke to Local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela as they waited for their son at Miami International Airport.

"He started track at the age of 9," his father, Bobby Hall, said. "He wasn't very good initially. He got better and better, and he's got that personality where he hates to lose."

Hall was gone for nearly a month, but his parents were right there in Brazil to see him win.

"We were there, and it was very exciting for both (of us) -- just going crazy," Bobby Hall said. "One of the proudest moments of our lives."

Arman Hall, 22, was a little embarrassed to see the Local 10 News cameras at the airport, but was happy to be home.

He said he was especially excited about eating a home-cooked meal.

"I hope something is cooked when I get home," Hall said.

Before he headed home to eat, the young Olympian was more than happy to take pictures with fans at the airport.

"My first gold in the Olympics -- it was an amazing experience. I loved it," Hall said. "I went there. I represented my family. I represented America."

Hall, who won four state championships at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, plans to race next year at the World Championships in London before training for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Hall has also won two national championships at the University of Florida.


About the Author:

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, heĀ covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba.Ā