Jens-Peter Berndt

German swimmer Jens-Peter Berndt grew up in former GDR and initially participated in international competitions for them. In 1985, he fled to the US during a competition due to differences with his coach Lutz Wanja, and despite travelling around the country, Berndt did not receive US citizenship. Consequently, he competed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics for West Germany, but his authorisation to compete was only decided by the IOC in Seoul because East Germany had appealed against it.

After the Games, Berndt went back to the US, where he studied Public Relations and Marketing, and later settled in the country. He worked with Mark McCormack’s International Management Group (IMG) and became a computer scientist. Berndt then received US citizenship.

During his time in the former GDR, Berndt swam a world record over 400 IM in 1984 (4:19.61). Previously, in 1981 he was fifth at the European Championships and won the silver medal at the 1982 Worlds, both over 400 IM. The next year he won two silver medals at the Europeans in both medley events but, due to the Soviet-led boycott of the Los Angeles Olympics, he could not participate in the 1984 Games.

In 1988, Berndt then became West German champion over 200 and 400 IM. At Seoul, he started in the 200 backstroke and 400 IM, finishing sixth in both. He failed to reach the final of both the 100 backstroke and 200 IM.