Nelson Vails

Nelson Beasley Vails (born October 13, 1960) is a retired road and track cyclist from the United States. He rode as a professional from 1988 to 1995 representing the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won the silver medal in the sprint, behind countryman Mark Gorski.[1] Vails was the first African-American cyclist to win an Olympic medal and he was inducted to the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.

Nelson Vails

Vails in February 2007
Personal information
Born	October 13, 1960 Harlem, New York
Medal record Men's cycling Representing  United States Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles Individual Sprint Pan American Games 1983 Caracas Individual Sprint

Vails was also seen as a New York bicycle messenger in the film Quicksilver. He didn't just play a bicycle messenger in "Quicksilver," he worked as one in New York City. His nickname was "The Cheetah.".[2] After his sporting career he has worked as a cycling commentator for major TV networks and taken part in cycling safety programs.

In 2005 Vails was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Velodrome Cycling Hall of Fame.[3]

Palmarès

1983

1st Pan American Games, individual sprint

1984

2nd Olympic Games, sprint

1st US National Track Champion, individual sprint

1st US National Track Champion, tandem sprint

1985

1st Track World Champion, tandem sprint

1st US National Track Champion, tandem sprint

1986

1st US National Track Champion, tandem sprint

References

1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Nelson Vails". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
2. Mara Bovsun. "Fastest Cat – Nelson Vails". Retrieved July 26, 2011.
3. "Hall of Fame". Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Retrieved February 6, 2017.