Roland Matthes

Infobox Swimmer
swimmername=Roland Matthes


imagesize=
caption =
fullname = Roland Matthes
nicknames = "Rolls-Royce of Swimming"
nationality = GDR
strokes = Backstroke
club = Sportclub Turbine Erfurt
collegeteam =
birthdate = birth date and age|1950|11|17
birthplace = Pößneck, Thüringen
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = height|m=1.89
weight = convert|74|kg|lb
medaltemplates=

Roland Matthes (born November 17, 1950 in Pößneck, Thuringia) is a former backstroke swimmer, who won a total number of eight Olympic medals for East Germany. He is considered to be one of the best backstroke swimmers of all time. He competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1968, when the "Rolls-Royce of Swimming" won his first Olympic medals.

Matthes was undefeated in international competitions from 1967 to 1974. During his career he set 21 world records, and won three world and four European titles. Matthes was named "East German Sportsman of the Year" seven times: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1975. He retired after the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, and that year married fellow-swimmer Kornelia Ender. Six year later the couple divorced. Matthes is currently living and working in Marktheidenfeld. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1981.

References

* [http://www.ishof.org/honorees/81/81rmatthes.html Roland Matthes on ISHOF]
* [http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ma/roland-matthes-1.html sports-reference]