Roland Matthes
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J0411-0003-001, Roland Matthes.jpg
Matthes in 1970
Personal information
Nickname(s)"Rolls-Royce of Swimming"
NationalityEast Germany
Born(1950-11-17)17 November 1950
Pößneck, Thuringia, East Germany
Died20 December 2019(2019-12-20)(aged 69)
Wertheim, Germany
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight74 kg (163 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke
ClubSportclub Turbine Erfurt
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing East Germany
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico City100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico City200 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1972 Munich100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1972 Munich200 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place1968 Mexico City4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place1972 Munich4×100 m medley
Bronze medal – third place1972 Munich4×100 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place1976 Montreal100 m backstroke
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1973 Belgrade100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1973 Belgrade200 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1975 Cali100 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place1973 Belgrade4×100 m medley
Bronze medal – third place1973 Belgrade4×100 m freestyle
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1970 Barcelona100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1970 Barcelona200 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1970 Barcelona4×100 m medley
Gold medal – first place1974 Vienna100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place1974 Vienna200 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place1970 Barcelona100 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place1974 Vienna100 m butterfly
Bronze medal – third place1970 Barcelona4×100 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place1970 Barcelona4×200 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place1974 Vienna4×100 m freestyle