Former Olympian Denies Vandalizing Washington Reflecting Pool After Arrest

David "Davey" Hearn, a 67-year-old former US Olympian and champion canoeist, was detained by US Park Police and National Guard troops at Washington's Reflecting Pool and now faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property, though he maintains he committed no wrongdoing. The arrest has drawn scrutiny of both law enforcement's response and the condition of the pool itself, which underwent a $13 million to $14.2 million renovation project but has already begun showing signs of deterioration.

The Arrest and Accusation

Hearn was stopped on Friday while completing a long bicycle ride near the historic Reflecting Pool, which stretches 2,030 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. According to Hearn's account to BBC News, he removed his cycling glove to touch a long strip of rubbery material that appeared to have separated from the pool's bottom. He was then approached by law enforcement and subsequently charged.

In a statement to BBC News, Hearn insisted: "I didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part of the paint. The condition of any part of the reflecting pool didn't change. It wasn't affected. It was the same before I got there as when I walked away from it." He characterized his prosecution as "arbitrary and capricious." Video evidence posted to social media shows Hearn standing near a water-pumping hose and speaking with a woman before walking away to retrieve his bicycle.

Pool Problems Beyond Vandalism Claims

The Reflecting Pool underwent extensive restoration work championed by President Donald Trump as part of a broader beautification initiative for the US capital ahead of America's 250th birthday celebrations. Despite the significant investment, the pool has continued to face persistent challenges. New blue paint has been documented peeling from the pool's bottom, and an algae bloom has become visible in recent days, contradicting earlier claims by the administration that the water was "crystal clear."

The historic site has long struggled with structural and maintenance issues, including leaks, deteriorating surfaces, faulty pipes, and algae growth before the recent renovation. Trump acknowledged these "real problems" in a post on Truth Social, attributing them to vandalism while claiming that law enforcement had arrested "multiple individuals" for damaging the pool. He asserted that repairs would begin immediately, though specific details about the scope of work remain undisclosed.