Gene Samuel

Eugene "Gene” Samuel is a semi-retired track cyclist and road cyclist from Trinidad and Tobago, who represented his native country at four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1984 where he placed fourth, missing the bronze medal by 4/100ths of a second. He won a gold, a silver and a bronze medal in the Men's 1,000m Time Trial at three different Pan American Games. Samuel is a well-known bunch race track cyclist for his never-say-die competitive attitude and his warrior spirit, hence his nickname, "Geronimo". He broke the World Professional record in the 1000 metre time-trial in Cali, Colombia, in 1992. He was a World Champion bronze medallist in the 1000 metre time trial in 1991 at the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, a few days after winning the gold medal at the Pan American Games and breaking the track record in Havana, Cuba. He won double gold medals at the 1986 CAC Games in Santo Domingo and broke the 1000m track record in the process. He has three times been Sportsman of the Year in Trinidad and Tobago and also was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.