The American was given the honour of carrying the United States flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Games in Bosnian capital Sarajevo, which was then a part of the former Yugoslavia.

Fellow American athletes voted for him to perform the task.

Masley also competed at the Olympics on home ice in Lake Placid in 1980, and then again at the Games in Canadian city Calgary in 1988.

After his third Olympic appearance he brought his career to an end.

He competed in singles at all three Games as well as doubles - where he partnered Ray Bateman.

In Sarajevo he came 14th in the singles and he was then 12th in Calgary, the highest-ever finish by an American slider at that time.

On the domestic stage he won 12 national titles. 

Dwight Bell, the Board President of USA Luge, paid tribute to Masley. 

"Having known Frank since the beginning of his luge career almost four decades ago, I am personally humbled and honoured to have known him, and most grateful that he chose luge so he would become part of our family," he said.

Masley leaves behind a wife, Donna, and three children.