Guyana’s Hunte defeated some of world’s best cyclists By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
July 9, 2002
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Neville Hunte began his career as a racing cyclist in 1967 at the age of 19 and with his passion for the sport, he soon became a rated competitor and a Guyanese sports hero.

He first represented Guyana internationally at the Texaco Southern Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 1969, where he displayed his competitive spirit and drive to become one of the best.

In 1970, Hunte represented Guyana at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburg, Scotland. He was also at the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico in 1970 and 1974 respectively. He proudly carried Guyana’s flag at the opening ceremony of the games in Mexico, and was appointed the team’s captain.

Neville also represented Guyana at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama City, Panama and Santo Domingo.

Neville Hunte

He competed in his first Olympic Games in Munich, Germany in 1972, after training in Denmark for three months leading up to the Games.

In 1974, he represented Guyana at the World Cycling Championships in Montreal, Canada where he competed against the world’s best.

At his peak in 1976, he was again a part of the contingent of athletes at the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. However, owing to the boycott by some countries at the games in protest at the then apartheid South Africa’s participation, Neville and the Guyana team were unable to participate.

Upon his return to Guyana, the late Shirley Field Ridley, Minister of Sports and Culture, presented the athletes with gold medallions.Neville proudly represented Guyana in other cycling events in Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad, Barbados, Venezuela, Scotland, England, Holland, France, Denmark and other countries across the globe.

At numerous international races, Neville scored victories over some of the world’s best cyclists - most notable was Daniel Morelon of France, Niels Fredborg and Peter Petersen of Denmark, all World and Olympic Champions.

Neville Hunte was and still is considered one of the best cyclists in Guyana and the Caribbean.

He was awarded Guyana’s "Sportsman of the Year" award, not once, but twice. He was also given the coveted `Medal of Service’ by the late President Arthur Chung for his contribution to sports and culture in Guyana.

Hunte is still a celebrated athlete in Guyana. The people and government of Guyana recognise him as one of their sports heroes.

Neville migrated to the United States in 1997 and subsequently attended the State University of New York at Old Westbury, graduating with the BS Degree in Business Administration in 1981.

He received a scholarship to attend Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in New York City in 1981 and graduated with an MS Degree in Public Administration in 1983.

After school he worked for the Mayor’s Office of Operations in New York City up to 1985.

Neville is currently working for the San Francisco Municipal Railway as an assistant to the Deputy General Manager of the Transportation Division.