Olympian on Trial for Pool Vandalism

Sun Sep 06 2026 10:33:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Olympian pleads not guilty to vandalising the Lincoln Memorial pool, sparking debate over heritage conservation.

A former American Olympic canoeist has entered a court in Washington DC, refusing to admit to vandalising the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Hearn faces a felony charge over $1,000 in damages to the newly repaired pool. He claims only a delaminated strip was touched, and his attorneys warn the case could set a dangerous precedent. The incident comes amid a costly $13m refurbishment that still struggles with algae and loose sealant. Five other people have already been arrested for vandalism at the site.

Olympian on Trial for Pool Vandalism

Former three‑time Olympic canoeist David Hearn, 67, pleaded not guilty in a Washington DC court today over charges that he vandalised the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

He is accused of causing roughly $1,000 (£750) in damage to the pool, a siting that places him under a felony property‑destruction charge.

Hearn says he only touched a piece that “had already delaminated” and that no paint or sealant was removed.

“If he can be charged for touching the pool, every American is at risk,” urged his attorney Norm Eisen, a former Olympic whitewater champion, as he posted behind the courthouse on Thursday.

The case lands in the context of a $13m ($9.8m) multi‑million dollar refurbishment that saw the pool’s bottom sealed and painted this spring, yet the new material still peels and algae grows.

Five other people have already been arrested for vandalism at the pool, and five more received federal citations, according to US Park Police, while interior officials continue to drain and clean the water.

Hearn’s next court hearing is set for 5 August, though the attorneys argue the charge was part of a political shift to deflect responsibility from the current administration’s costly heritage projects.