Christfried BURMEISTER

Christfried Burmeister was a versatile athlete, who competed not only in speed skating but also in bandy and athletics. He competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix as the only Estonian athlete. But due to organizational problems he did not start even though the Estonian flag was carried into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony. In the same year he placed 13th in the World Championships. From 1917-1928, Burmeister was seven times Estonian Champion in the all-round winning 24 times over various distances in speed skating. Additionally, he took five national titles in bandy, and in 1919 the pole vault and the 4x100 m relay in track and field. Burmeister was a member of various sports clubs in Tallinn (in German Reval) including Revaler Turnverein, Unioni, Kalevi and since 1920 Sport Tallinn. After his sporting career, he worked in the office of Tallinn’s gas and water works. In 1935 he changed his name to the Estonian version Puurmeister.

Personal Bests: 500 – 45.9 (1928); 1500 – 2:29.5 (1928); 5000 – 9:19.2 (1924); 10000 – 18:44.5 (1928).