Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn stated he was arrested Friday after touching a loose piece of blue coating at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, who represented the U.S. in canoeing, told ABC News he stopped at the pool during a bike ride out of curiosity after reading reports of algae and peeling paint.

His arrest comes amid recent directives from President Donald Trump to paint the Reflecting Pool blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The pool has recently been undergoing work, including efforts to address algae growth and the application of a new coating.

Hearn explained that he touched a piece of the blue coating that was already partially detached from the pool's bottom. "I did not remove, I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool," Hearn asserted, adding that the pool's condition remained unchanged after his interaction.

According to Hearn, a National Park Service employee initially instructed him to stop touching the material. He was subsequently approached by National Guardsmen and informed that Park Police wished to speak with him. Hearn expressed surprise at his arrest, stating he was not read his rights and was denied phone calls for five hours.

The National Park Service has not yet responded to ABC News' request for comment regarding Hearn's arrest or any other arrests at the site. President Trump has previously stated that multiple individuals were arrested for vandalism at the Reflecting Pool.

Hearn, who has a background in materials science, said his interest was purely to observe the reported issues firsthand. He described himself as "fully cooperative" during his detention and was released Friday night. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.

Reports indicate that a 17-year-old was also cited for allegedly taking a piece of paint from the Reflecting Pool. The pool's condition, including algae bloom and peeling paint, has drawn public attention, with some tourists visiting for reasons contrary to the intended aesthetic.

Hearn's arrest highlights the heightened security and scrutiny surrounding the Reflecting Pool following its recent renovations and the directive to paint it blue. The incident raises questions about the definition of vandalism in this context and the procedures followed during the arrests.