David Walters, a former University of Texas swimmer, made headlines in 2008 after he won a gold medal for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Almost two decades later, his name appeared again, but for a completely different reason.
Walters, who has been a Los Angeles firefighter for nearly 10 years, is one of the more than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel working to contain devastating wildfires raging throughout Southern California this week.
FILE – (L-R) Erik Vendt, Ricky Berens and David Walters of the United States cheer on Klete Keller during the final leg of the Men’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Heat Japan held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008, in Beijing, China. The American team won the race in 7:04.66, a new Olympic record. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
The former Olympian recently spoke with News Nation about the devastation as he finished a two-day shift, according to the outlet.
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“We’re pretty much trying to keep what’s left here standing,” said an exhausted Walters. “So, we won’t lie down. We’ll stay in our position—that’s right, I slept on top of the snake bed last night, just ready to do what we can still do.”
FILE – David Walters of the United States competes in the Men’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Heat 1 held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
At least 10 people have died as a result of several forest fires as thousands evacuated their homes. About 10,000 structures from the Pacific coast to Pasadena have burned down as strong winds continue to fuel the fires.
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The largest fire burning in the Pacific Palisades began Tuesday, and officials said Thursday night that that fire was 6% contained.
“I’m very sorry for the residents who live here,” Walters continued.
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
“We did our best but we got kicked in the butt. We’re getting some rest now and we’re all trying to get our nutrition and health up so we can stay active.”
Walters, 37, won gold in the men’s 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, setting a then-Olympic record with a time of 7:04.66. It was his only one Olympic performance. That same year, he won his first NCAA individual title in the men’s 200 freestyle.
