Swimming World: Roland Matthes: First an Idol, Then a Friend; John Naber Remembers His Guide and Pal
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Roland Matthes
Roland Matthes was a German swimmer and the most successful backstroke swimmer of all time. Between April 1967 and August 1974 he won all backstroke competitions he entered. He won four European championships and three world championships in a row, and swam 19 world and 28 European records in various backstroke, butterfly and medley events. He was trained by Marlies Grohe.
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science · German swimmer (1950–2019) · swimmer · surgeon · athlete · physician · also Roland Matthes, Matthes
Born 17 November 1950 · Died 20 December 2019 · Q163055
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2019· 4 entries
Swimming World: Passages: Roland Matthes, The Rolls Royce Of Backstroke, Mourned By World Swimming
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Yahoo! Sports: Roland Matthes, 8-time Olympic medalist swimmer, dies at 69
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Died 2019-12-20.
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2006· 1 entry
Awarded Germany's Sports Hall of Fame (2006).
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1981· 2 entries
Awarded International Swimming Hall of Fame (1981).
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Was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
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1976· 1 entry
And in May 1978 married Kornelia Ender, a fellow East German Olympic swimmer
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1975· 2 entries
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1975).
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Defended his world title in the 100 m backstroke
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1973· 2 entries
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1973).
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In Belgrade he became the first world champion holding the titles in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke
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1971· 1 entry
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1971).
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1970· 2 entries
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1970).
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In Barcelona and 1974 in Vienna he won all four titles for the 100 and 200 m backstroke
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1969· 1 entry
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1969).
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1968· 3 entries
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1968).
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And 1972, and a bronze medal for the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay in 1972
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1972 and 1976 he won a total of eight medals (four gold, two silver and two bronze): In 1968 and 1972 he won gold in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke, while in 1976 he was third in the 100 m backstroke
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1967· 1 entry
Awarded East German Sportspersonality of the Year (1967).
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1950· 1 entry
Born 1950-11-17.
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