German Swimming Federation ke according 8 time Olympic medal winner Swimmer Roland Matthes ki 69 ki age mei death ho gai. Wertheim mein Friday ko ek short par serious illness ki wajah se hui unki death.
Apne career ke dauraan, Matthes history ke sabse dominant backstrokers mein se ek the, jisme 1968 aur 1972 ke Olympic games mein 100m aur 200m sweep karna bhi shamil tha.
East Germany ko represent karte huye , unhone 3 World Championship Gold medal aur 5 European Championship gold medal jeete. Unhone apne career mein total 21 record break kiye, jisme 100m backstroke mein World record holder ke roop mein 9 years ka run shamil tha.
Swimming se retire hone ke baad, Matthes ne ej Orthopedic surgeon ke roop mein kaam kiya. Unhe apne lifetime achievements ke liye 2004 mein Golden Sports Pyramid se sammanit kiya gaya aur iske turant baad who German Sports Hall Of Fame mein shamil hone wale first former GDR (East German) athlete bann gaye.
“Ronald Matthes ki death ki news hume sadness se bhar deti hai. Humari sympathy aur condolences unke family ke saath hai.” German Swimming Association ke Vice president Uwe Brinkmann ne kaha.
“Roland Matthes sports history mein keval ek most successful swimmer hi nhi the balki ek helpful person bhi the jo hamesha Germany ke andar hi East aur west Germany mein hamesha bridge build karna chahte the. Hum unh eek great role model ke roop mein yaad karenge.”