Alfred Maasik

Alfred Maasik was an Estonian track and field athlete who competed in long-distance running and racewalking. Maasik began competing in running events in 1922 and won bronze in the 8km cross-country race at the 1926 Estonian championships. From 1926 to 1934 he alternated his time between Estonia and the United States, becoming the secretary of the Estonian Athletic Club of America. In 1928 Maasik was in Estonia when he set a national record in the 10,000 metres before winning silver in the 8km cross-country race the following year. In 1930 he finished second in the New York Marathon with a time of 2:40.01. Prior to the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics he was approached by Estonian officials to compete at the Games. They were looking for athletes who lived in the United States to minimise the costs of sending a full delegation from Europe, with Maasik and wrestler Osvald Käpp agreeing to participate at short notice. Maasik finished tenth in the 50 kilometres racewalk at the Los Angeles Olympics, and was scheduled to run in the marathon but did not start the race. In 1934 he was the Estonian champion in the marathon before moving to live in America on a permanent basis in 1935. In 1984 he was a member of the organising committee for the Los Angeles Olympics. Maasik lived in New York, Los Angeles, and Florida, where he died in July 1990 at the age of 93.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 6-19:00 (1932).