Who is David Hearn? US Olympian who denies vandalizing Reflecting Pool after viral arrest

Former Olympian David Hearn denied wrongdoing after being arrested and charged with destruction of government property Friday at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. (Credit/Emily Miller)

An Olympic canoeist has been accused of vandalizing the iconic Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

David Hearn, 67, who represented the United States in three Summer Olympics, denied the accusations that he vandalized the newly refurbished Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after being arrested by the U.S. Park Police on Saturday.

Hearn told The Associated Press that he only reached into the pool because he wanted to examine the peeling new coating, and he only briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool, then let go shortly after a park worker told him to.

"I'm a curious citizen," Hearn told the outlet. "I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery."

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Now, he has a date to appear in court next month.

Hearn was previously arrested by the U.S. Park Police nearly 30 years ago, and ended up beating the charges.

How did he get to this point?

Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn was arrested after allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. (David Madison/Getty Images, File)

His father, Carter Hearn, was a geologist and expert canoeist who continued to paddle treacherous whitewater well into his late 60s, per his website Davey Hearn.

His older sister Cathy is a two-time Olympian in women's kayak and in 1979 won an unprecedented three gold medals at the World Championships, and she is a member of the 2001 World Championship Team.

His brother, Bill, was also a United States Canoe and Kayak National