Famous German Swimmers

Roland Matthes was a German swimmer famous as the most successful backstroke swimmer of all time. He swam 19 world and 21 European records in various backstroke,  freestyle, butterfly, and medley events between April 1967 and August 1974. After retiring from swimming, he studied medicine at the University of Jena and became an orthopedic surgeon.

Sulamith Messerer was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. Messerer is credited with establishing the foundation for Japan's classical ballet; she played a major role in the establishment of Japan's dance company, Tokyo Ballet. Sulamith Messerer is also remembered for her association with the popular Bolshoi Theatre where she performed as a prima ballerina for 25 years.