Nelson Vails

Who is Nelson Vails?

Nelson Beasley Vails 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 1000-meter Match Sprint, behind countryman Mark Gorski. 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.

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

Vails entered the Lehigh Valley Velodrome Cycling Hall of Fame.