David Walters, a former University of Texas swimmer, made headlines in 2008 after he earned a gold medal for Workforce USA in the course of the Summer season Olympics in Beijing. Practically twenty years later, his identify popped up once more, however for a wholly completely different cause.
Walters, who has been a firefighter in Los Angeles for nearly 10 years, is among the greater than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel working to include the devastating wildfires raging all through Southern California this week.
FILE – (L-R) Erik Vendt, Ricky Berens and David Walters of america cheer on ultimate leg Klete Keller within the Males’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Warmth Japan held on the Nationwide Aquatics Middle on Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Video games on August 12, 2008, in Beijing, China. America group received the race in a time of seven:04.66, a brand new Olympic document. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Pictures)
The previous Olympian not too long ago spoke to News Nation in regards to the devastation as he completed up a shift working two days straight, in keeping with the outlet.
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“We’re just about attempting to maintain what’s left right here standing,” an exhausted Walters mentioned. “So, we’re not laying down. We’re staying in our place – that’s appropriate, I did sleep on prime of the hose mattress final night time, simply staying able to do what we are able to nonetheless do.”
FILE – David Walters of america competes within the Males’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Warmth 1 held on the Nationwide Aquatics Middle on Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Video games on August 12, 2008, in Beijing, China. (Al Bello/Getty Pictures)
At the least 10 individuals have died because of a number of wildfires as hundreds evacuated their properties. Round 10,000 constructions from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena have burned down as robust winds proceed to gas the fires.
The most important hearth burning in Pacific Palisades started on Tuesday, and officers mentioned on Thursday night that containment was at 6% for that fireplace.
“I’m very sorry for the residents that reside right here,” Walters continued.
Fireplace crews battle the Kenneth Fireplace within the West Hills part of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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“We did attempt our greatest, however we received our butts kicked. We’re getting some relaxation now, and we’re all attempting to get our vitamin up and well being up so we are able to keep lively.”
Walters, 37, received gold within the males’s 4 x 200 metres freestyle relay, the place they set a then-Olympic document with a time of seven:04.66. It was his solely Olympic appearance. That very same 12 months, he received his first NCAA particular person title within the males’s 200 freestyle.
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