The German Roland Matthes, quadruple Olympic champion swimming in back and considered one of the best swimmers of his generation, he died this Friday at the age of 69 as a result of an illness, his family announced to the media.
Under the banner of the East Germany, Matthes conquered the Olympic gold in the Games of Mexico in 1968 and in those celebrated in Munich in 1972 in the 100 and 200 backstroke. In addition, he twice won the silver medal in the 4×100 styles in both Olympics and the bronze in the 4×100 freestyle in 1972 and in the 100 backstroke in Montreal 1976.
The ex-husband of GDR swimmer Kornelia Ender, also a quadruple Olympic champion, added three world champion titles to his record and managed to break 19 world records throughout his career. Between April 1967 and August 1974 he achieved the feat of remaining undefeated in the back tests. After leaving swimming I work as an orthopedic.
Roland Matthes, at the Munich Olympics (- / AFP)
One Response
What kind of brief illness killed Roland Mathes at age 69?