Douglas Gjertsen is a swimmer who has competed for the United States. He competed at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympic Games.
At his first Olympics in 1988, Gjertsen helped his American teammates Troy Dalbey, Matthew Cetlinski, and Matthew Biondi set a new world record to defend their title in the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay. He also contributed to another gold-medal triumph for the Americans in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay by swimming through the second leg in the heats.
While he celebrated his victories with Gjertsen in a Korean bar, they removed a wall decoration of a marble lion's head and were arrested by the Korean police. Dalbey and Gjertsen left the U.S. Olympic team, apologized to their Korean hosts in writing, and the Korean prosecutor filed no formal charges. Dalbey soon received an 18-month suspension from competitive swimming.
Four years later in Barcelona, Gjertsen posted the second-fastest split time of the meet at the last leg to help the American team of Joseph Hudepohl, Jon Olsen, and Mel Stewart save the podium spot with a bronze in the 4x200 metres freestyle relay. He also sought to add an individual medal in the men's 200 metres freestyle, but he placed last among the top eight in the final.
Olympic Results[]
| Year | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Men's 4x100m freestyle relay | 
|
| Men's 4x200m freestyle relay |
| |
| 1992 | Men's 200m freestyle | 8th |
| Men's 4x200m freestyle relay | 
|
1988[]
| Discipline | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x100 metres freestyle relay | Heats | 3:19.52 (49.64 split) |
|
| Final | 3:16.53 (Reserve) |
WR | |
| 4x200 metres freestyle relay | Heats | 7:18.76 (1:49.41 split) |
|
| Final | 7:12.51 (1:48.26 split) |
WR |
1992[]
| Discipline | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 200 metres freestyle | Heats | 1:48.65 |
| A Final | 1:50.57 | |
| 4x200 metres freestyle relay | Heats | 7:23.70 (1:52.97 split) |
| Final | 7:16.23 (1:49.11 split) |