Ex-Olympian charged with vandalism over green Reflecting Pool in Washington

A former Olympian has been charged with vandalism in Washington D.C. over the green discoloration of the Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors allege the 67-year-old, a three-time Olympic canoeist, damaged the landmark. A grand jury has indicted him on the charge, which carries a potential ten-year prison sentence.

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The jury at the court has approved the indictment and is evaluating the case as a criminal offense.

The Reflecting Pool, a prominent feature between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, gained attention after a $14 million renovation initiated by President Donald Trump. Trump aimed to give the pool a blue hue for the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration. However, algae quickly turned the water green after the work concluded.

Trump publicly blamed vandalism for the discoloration and announced arrests. The accused, from Bethesda, Maryland, previously ran a company manufacturing composite materials for watercraft. He told the Associated Press that he stopped at the pool during a 100-kilometer bike ride to test its new coating. He stated he immediately withdrew when a park employee intervened. He also reported being detained for five hours by National Guard soldiers and park police.

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I immediately let go when a park employee asked me to.

The incident places Trump under scrutiny regarding the renovation project's effectiveness and high cost, especially since it was awarded without a public tender. The president had promised a blue pool for the holiday, and the green algae bloom has drawn criticism.

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He had stopped at the pool to test the new coating of the basin.