Carl Ertel

East German rower Carl Ertel could not participate due to the Soviet-led boycott at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. However, he partnered Uwe Gasch in the coxless pairs and finished fifth at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. With non-Olympian Uwe Sauerbrey, Ertel won the silver medal at the 1982 World Championships. The following year the pair won the World title. In 1986, Ertel finished fifth with the eights, and was placed fourth with Gasch in 1987.

Nationally, Ertel won five titles in different classes. He later married swimmer Carmela Schmidt but divorced. By profession, Ertel became a sports therapist in a clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry, psychosomatics, and psychotherapy at Halle on Saale. He also was active as a rowing coach in his hometown.