Roland Matthes

East German swimmer regarded as one of the greatest backstrokers of all time, the only swimmer to sweep both backstroke events at consecutive Olympic Games in 1968 and 1972.

Born in Pössneck, East Germany, on 17 November 1950, Roland Matthes began swimming seriously at age ten under coach Hans Schneemann before working for over a decade with Marlies Grohe. He emerged as East Germany's first great swimming star, remaining undefeated in major backstroke competitions from 1967 to 1974. Matthes won gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and repeated the double at Munich 1972, making him the only swimmer in history to sweep the backstrokes at consecutive Games. He set 16 world records over his career — seven in the 100m and nine in the 200m — and won three world titles at the inaugural 1973 World Championships. His elegant, economical stroke technique earned him the nickname 'the Rolls-Royce of Backstroke'. His dominance ended in 1974 at the hands of American John Naber, who succeeded him as Olympic backstroke champion in 1976; weakened by health problems that year, Matthes settled for bronze in the 100m at his third and final Olympics in Montreal, the only East German male swimmer to medal at those Games. He finished his Olympic career with eight medals overall (four gold, two silver, two bronze). Matthes was married to fellow East German swimming star Kornelia Ender from 1978 to 1982. He denied any personal involvement in East Germany's state doping program, saying his club was too small to be part of the system. He died on 20 December 2019 at age 69, with John Naber, the man who ended his unbeaten run, calling him 'the greatest backstroker that ever lived'.

Elegant, technically economical backstroke with a deceptively powerful finish

Widely regarded as the greatest backstroke swimmer in history