In brief
David Hearn, 67, former Olympic canoe champion, was detained in the Washington DC Reflecting Pool after authorities alleged he vandalised the newly repainted water surface. Hearn insists he only touched a strip of rubbery material already delaminating, refusing to claim any damage. While facing a misdemeanor charge for destruction of government property, he argues that the incident was a "capricious prosecution" and that the paint’s condition did not change. The episode has unfolded amid national scrutiny of the pool’s high‑budget refurbishment, which has already started to fall apart with algae and peeling blue paint, prompting President Trump to promises of swift repairs. He adds that the pool’s beauty remains intact, describing it as "really pretty" even in its deteriorated state.
Former Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn was arrested for allegedly vandalising Washington DC’s Reflecting Pool after a routine bike ride. He was stopped by US Park Police and National Guard troops when he slipped his cycling glove to touch a strip of rubbery material that had begun to delaminate from the pool’s bottom.
Hearn insists he did not destroy, rip, peel or remove any paint. Instead, he claims he simply touched the material briefly, stating, "The condition of any part of the reflecting pool didn't change." He argues he was "placed in handcuffs" and detained for about five hours, unable to make a phone call.
The incident comes as the Reflecting Pool—recently sealed and painted in a custom "American Flag Blue" shade—continues to suffer leaks, algae growth and paint peeling. President Donald Trump announced a $13m refurbishment, claiming the pool would now stay "clean" and "beautiful," but videos show new blue paint already faying off.
Trump’s administration has been criticised for awarding the project through no‑bid contracts, while the pool’s management publicly restated that the algae problem was 75% resolved. Trump declared that vandals had poured corrosive chemicals and may have used knives or blades, allegations unverified and sparked by the Hearn arrest.
Hearn, who has competed in three Olympics and won two world championships, says the incident is "an arbitrary, capricious prosecution" and that "someone high up decided to make an example of me." The de‑er in his own remarks, he says "even with the problems, the Reflecting Pool was still really pretty," valuing the reflective surface over the colour of the water.
