Anders Holmertz learned to swim at age four, in the indoor pool where his mother worked as a lifeguard. He developed into an all-round freestyle swimmer, who excelled in the 200 metres. In that event, he won two Olympic silvers (1988 and 1992), a World Championship silver (1994) and four European Championship medals, including one gold (1987). He added to his medal collection in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay, which also earned him two Olympic silvers (1992 and 1996), one world title (1994) and one world title in the 25 metre pool (1993). In all, Holmertz earned 23 medals in international championships. Holmertz’ record in Swedish championships is impressive, winning a total of 86 titles, 46 long course, 40 short-course. These span all distances from 100 metres to 1,500 freestyle, and also includes some individual medley titles. After the 1997 World Short Course Championships in Göteborg, Sweden, where he won two silver medals in the relay, Holmertz retired to start working in information technology.