Team USA gymnastics superstar Gabby Douglas says never meant any disrespect by not placing her hand over her heart during the national anthem Tuesday ... saying, "I apologize if I offended anyone."
Douglas took some heat following the team's gold medal victory in the All-Around competition -- when she stood next to teammates Simone Bles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian ... but didn't put her hand over her heart.
It didn't take long for Gabby to head to Twitter to explain herself ...
"In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played," Douglas wrote.