Roland Matthes (* 17 November 1950 in Pößneck; † 20 December 2019 in Wertheim[1]) was a German swimmer, world record holder and four-time Olympic champion and is considered one of the most successful and popular athletes in the GDR.
Matthes studied sports science from 1970 to 1977 and graduated with a degree in sports teaching. From 1978 to 1984, he studied medicine in Jena. Matthes worked as an orthopedic surgeon in Marktheidenfeld. From 1985 to 1989, he was a member of the IOC Medical Commission.
From 1978 to 1982, he was married to Olympic swimming champion Kornelia Ender.
On April 6, 2011, the Erfurt Südschwimmhalle (South Swimming Pool) was renamed “Roland Matthes Swimming Pool” in his presence.
Roland Matthes died in December 2019 at the age of 69 after a short, serious illness.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Matthes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Matthes
https://www.ovb-heimatzeitungen.de/sport/2019/12/22/abschied-vom-jahrhundert-schwimmer.ovb