Former Olympian Charged Over Reflecting Pool Incident Denies Vandalism
Former U.S. Olympic canoeist Davey Hearn faces a misdemeanor charge after being arrested at the Reflecting Pool, but he says he only touched a strip of paint and did not damage the monument.
Former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn, 67, was arrested by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops on Friday while stopping near the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. after completing a long bike ride. Hearn told reporters he removed his cycling glove to briefly touch a rubbery strip of material that appeared to be peeling from the pool’s bottom, describing it as a curiosity about the recent resealing work.
He is now charged with a misdemeanor for destruction of government property, although he insists he did not remove, rip, tear, peel or otherwise alter any paint. > "The condition of any part of the reflecting pool didn't change," Hearn said, adding that the pool was the same when he arrived as when he left.
The Reflecting Pool has recently undergone a multi-million-dollar resealing and painting project, yet observers have reported ongoing issues with peeling paint, algae and structural wear. The refurbishment, estimated at $13 million, was highlighted by the administration as part of broader efforts to beautify the capital ahead of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.
President Donald Trump posted on his social-media platform that park police had arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, calling the acts “very serious crimes” and promising immediate repairs.
Hearn, a three-time Olympian and two-time world champion, said he was detained for about five hours without a phone call and described the arrest as “arbitrary, capricious prosecution.” He added that he believes a higher authority used his case as an example. The former athlete also noted that he had seen a national news presenter touch the same material during a report on the pool’s condition.
U.S. Park Police did not respond to requests for comment.