1997 Hall of Fame Inductee
One of the top walkers in U.S. track and field history, Henry Laskau was in a class by himself during two decades. He was a top 15 km runner in his native Germany before being forced to leave that country in 1938. He moved to the United States and served in the U.S. Army during World War II before resuming his competitive walking career in 1946. It was a career that was to have few equals. His total of 42 national titles is one of the highest on record. He was a U.S. team competitor in the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, placing 12th in 1952 at 20 kilometers. He was a 1951 Pan-American Games champion and also was a four-time winner at the Maccabiah Games. During an 11-year career, he set five national records and during nine years of that period was unbeaten by any American walker. In 1983, he was named to the USA All-Time Track and Field team. He remained active in the sport after retiring from competition, serving as a volunteer official.
1952 Olympics: 20,000 m (12th) 1951 Pan-Am Games: (1st)