David Walters, former University of Texas A swimmer, he made headlines in 2008 after winning a gold medal for Team USA during the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Almost two decades later, his name reappeared, but for a completely different reason.
Walters, who has been a firefighter in Los Angeles for nearly 10 years, is one of more than 7,500 firefighters and emergency personnel working to contain the fire. devastating forest fires wreaking havoc throughout Southern California this week.
FILE – (L-R) Erik Vendt, Ricky Berens and David Walters of the United States cheer on Klete Keller in the final leg of the Japan Men’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Heats held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008, in Beijing, China. Team USA won the race with a time of 7:04.66, a new Olympic record. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
The former Olympic athlete recently spoke with news nation about the devastation when a two-day work shift ended, according to the outlet.
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“We’re trying to keep what’s left here standing,” said an exhausted Walters. “So, we’re not going to lie down. We’re staying in our position; that’s right, I slept on top of the hose bed last night, just being 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 multiple wildfires as thousands evacuated their homes. About 10,000 structures from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena have burned as strong winds continue to fuel the fires.
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The largest fire in Pacific Palisades started Tuesday, and officials said Thursday night that containment was at 6% for that fire.
“I feel 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 our butts kicked. Now we’re getting some rest and we’re all trying to improve our nutrition and our health so we can stay active.”
Walters, 37, won gold in the men’s 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, where he set a then-Olympic record with a time of 7:04.66. was his only Olympic appearance. That same year, he won his first NCAA individual title in the men’s 200 freestyle.
