Reinaldo Paseiro Rodríguez

He was a Cuban cyclist, coach and sports administrator in this sport, medalist in Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games and Olympic Games.

Promoter and initiator of the Vuelta Ciclística a Cuba. He is, together with Benito Sobero and José Molina, one of the fundamental pillars of Cuban cycling.

He was born in La Habana, lived on Peña Pobre street.

In 1946 he won the title at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Barranquilla, Colombia, in the time trial with a time of 1:11.6 minutes, surpassing Panamanian Oscar Layne and Mexican Prudencio Díaz. He placed third in the sprint, behind Oscar Layne and Venezuelan Adolfo Romero.

In 1948 he participated in the Olympic Games held in London, England, in the sprint, in the initial round he lost to Dutch Jan Hijzelendoorn; in the repechage he defeated Indian Rusi Mulla Feroze, only to be defeated in the second round by Belgian Emile Van de Velde. He competed in the 1000 meters time trial, placing 16th.

In 1950 he participated in the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Guatemala, where he triumphed in the time trial with a time of 1:14.8 minutes, followed by Oscar Layne and Trinidadian Compton Gonsalves. He won the silver medal in the 4,000 meter team pursuit, alongside Oscar Hevia, Leopoldo Posada and Leonardo Rodríguez.

Retired from active competition since the mid-1950s, with the triumph of the Revolution he assumed duties as coach and director in the emerging Cuban sports movement.

In 1961, in coordination with INDER, he created a cycling academy. He was designated national commissioner of this sport, promoting cycling in the early days of revolutionary sports, establishing the guidelines for the Cuban Cycling Federation. In November 1962 he participated in the first congress of sports commissions held in La Habana.

In 1964 he was one of the promoters of the Vuelta a Cuba in bicycles, with the collaboration of José Antonio Riverón and Benigno Suárez. On February 11 it materialized, starting from Paseiro at the Ciudad Escolar 26 de Julio in Santiago de Cuba.

On March 4, 1973 at the awards ceremony of the IX Vuelta Ciclística a Cuba, held at the Capitolio Nacional, he embraced Leonardo "Gallán" Hernández, the winner, advising him: "Keep it up, this only serves for more discipline and better international results".

He died on June 11, 1973 as a victim of injuries caused in a confrontation with antisocial elements.

In connection with the XI Pan American Games La Habana 1991, a velodrome was built east of the capital, which was named Reynaldo Paseiro in tribute to the distinguished Cuban athlete and sports administrator of this sporting specialty.