Olympic gold medalist-turned-firefighter battles flames in California as wildfires continue to burn
David Walters, ex University of Texas swimmer, made headlines in 2008 after winning a gold medal for Team USA during 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 more than 7,500 firefighters and emergency personnel working to contain the devastating forest fires raging across Southern California this week.
FILE – (L-R) Erik Vendt, Ricky Berens and David Walters of the United States cheer on Kleta Keller in the final leg of the Japan Men’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 4 of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August 12, 2008, in Beijing, China. Team USA won the race in 7:04.66, a new Olympic record. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
The former Olympian recently spoke with News of the Nation about the destruction while he was finishing his shift working two days in a row, according to the paper.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS REPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM
“We’re pretty much trying to maintain what’s left here,” said an exhausted Walters. “So we’re not going to lie down. We’re staying in our position—that’s right, I slept on the bed last night, we’re just ready to do what we can.”
FILE – David Walters of the United States competes in the men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay heat 1 at the National Aquatics Center on day four of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on August 12, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
At least 10 people have died as a result of numerous forest fires, while thousands of people have evacuated their homes. About 10,000 structures from the Pacific coast to Pasadena have burned as strong winds continue to fan the fires.
The largest wildfire burning in the Pacific Palisades started on Tuesday, and officials said Thursday night that it was 6% contained.
“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)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“We tried our best, but we got kicked out. Now we’re resting a bit and we’re all trying to improve our diet and health to stay active.”
Walters, 37, won gold in the men’s 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, where they set a then-Olympic record with a time of 7:04.66. She was his only one Olympic performance. That same year, he won his first NCAA individual title in the men’s 200 freestyle.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports broadcast on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
