US prosecutors have dropped charges against a former Olympian who had been accused of vandalising the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, writing in court documents that the damage is now believed to be "the result of flawed installation by the contractor".
A document filed by prosecutors in Washington DC on Friday says new information "strongly suggests that a rushed and botched installation" project overseen by the US Department of Interior led to the damage.
David Hearn, a champion canoeist, had been facing a 10-year prison sentence if found guilty after his arrest last month.
In a statement, his lawyers accused the Trump administration of abuse of power, and said it "owes Mr Hearn an apology".
