Roland Matthes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Roland Matthes

Matthes in 1970
Personal information
Nickname(s)	"Rolls-Royce of Swimming"
Nationality	East Germany
Born	(1950-11-17)17 November 1950 Pößneck, Thuringia, East Germany
Died	20 December 2019(2019-12-20) (aged 69) Wertheim, Germany
Height	1.89 m
Weight	74 kg
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Backstroke
Club	Sportclub Turbine Erfurt
Medal record Men's swimming Representing  East Germany Olympic Games Gold 1968 Mexico City 100 m backstroke Gold 1968 Mexico City 200 m backstroke Gold 1972 Munich 100 m backstroke Gold 1972 Munich 200 m backstroke Silver 1968 Mexico City 4×100 m medley Silver 1972 Munich 4×100 m medley Bronze 1972 Munich 4×100 m freestyle Bronze 1976 Montreal 100 m backstroke World Championships Gold 1973 Belgrade 100 m backstroke Gold 1973 Belgrade 200 m backstroke Gold 1975 Cali 100 m backstroke Silver 1973 Belgrade 4×100 m medley Bronze 1973 Belgrade 4×100 m freestyle European Championships Gold 1970 Barcelona 100 m backstroke Gold 1970 Barcelona 200 m backstroke Gold 1970 Barcelona 4×100 m medley Gold 1974 Vienna 100 m backstroke Gold 1974 Vienna 200 m backstroke Silver 1970 Barcelona 100 m freestyle Silver 1974 Vienna 100 m butterfly Bronze 1970 Barcelona 4×100 m freestyle Bronze 1970 Barcelona 4×200 m freestyle Bronze 1974 Vienna 4×100 m freestyle

Roland Matthes (born November 17, 1950 – died December 20, 2019) was an amazing German swimmer. He is known as one of the greatest backstroke swimmers ever. People even called him the "Rolls-Royce of Swimming" because he was so smooth and powerful in the water.

Roland Matthes won many important swimming competitions. He earned four European championships and three world championships. He also won several Olympic gold medals.

A Swimming Champion

Roland Matthes was born in Pößneck, East Germany. He started swimming at a young age. His talent quickly became clear. He focused on the backstroke style of swimming.

He became famous for his incredible speed. He also had a very graceful way of swimming. This made him almost unbeatable in his best events.

Olympic Games Success

Roland Matthes competed in three Olympic Games. He won eight medals in total. This makes him one of the most successful Olympic swimmers from Germany.

At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, he won two gold medals. He was the best in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke races. He also helped his team win a silver medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay.

He repeated his success at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Again, he won gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. He also earned a silver medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay. Plus, he won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he won another bronze medal. This was in the 100-meter backstroke.

World and European Wins

Besides the Olympics, Roland Matthes also shined at other big events. He won three gold medals at the World Championships.

In 1973, he won gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. He also got a silver in the 4x100-meter medley relay and a bronze in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. In 1975, he won another gold in the 100-meter backstroke.

He was also very successful at the European Championships. He won five gold medals there. He won the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke in both 1970 and 1974. In 1970, he also won gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay.

Later Life and Legacy

After his swimming career, Roland Matthes became a doctor. He worked as an orthopedic surgeon. This means he helped people with bone and muscle problems.

Roland Matthes passed away on December 20, 2019. He was 69 years old. He is remembered as a true legend in the world of swimming. His records and many medals show his amazing talent and hard work.

See also

• Roland Matthes at the International Olympic CommitteeLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 22: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
• Roland Matthes at the Olympic ChannelLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
• Roland Matthes at OlympediaLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

In Spanish: Roland Matthes para niños