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 US at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he became the first African American and first person of African descent to win an Olympic medal in cycling.^[1] He won the silver medal in the sprint, behind countryman Mark Gorski.^[2] He was inducted to the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.^[1]

Nelson Vails

Vails in February 2007
Personal information
Born	(1960-10-13) October 13, 1960 (age 64) 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."^[3] 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.^[4]

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

2nd Track World Champion, tandem sprint

1st US National Track Champion, tandem sprint

1986

1st US National Track Champion, tandem sprint