The Olympian

Craig Merren is the son of the late Deanna Merren and Duken P. Ebanks. Born in the district of George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands in 1966, Craig started riding bicycles when he was only five years old, and as he grew, so did his love for cycling. This love was nurtured by the small, close-knit island community in which riding bicycles was more than just a hobby. It was an integral part of daily life for many island residents, serving as a key mode of transportation and recreation. It was in this environment that Craig spent countless days riding with his friends and siblings exploring Grand Cayman’s natural beauty.

Eventually, the long hours riding bicycles turned Craig into a skilled rider. He also became a skilled, self-taught bicycle mechanic because of the many hours he spent building and repairing bicycles for all his friends and family. Then, as a teenager, Craig began working after school and during the summers as a bicycle repair mechanic at Uncle Bills, a popular, local general store.

Craig Merren is the son of the late Deanna Merren and Duken P. Ebanks. Born in the district of George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands in 1966, Craig started riding bicycles when he was only five years old, and as he grew, so did his love for cycling. This love was nurtured by the small, close-knit island community in which riding bicycles was more than just a hobby. It was an integral part of daily life for many island residents, serving as a key mode of transportation and recreation. It was in this environment that Craig spent countless days riding with his friends and siblings exploring Grand Cayman’s natural beauty.

Eventually, the long hours riding bicycles turned Craig into a skilled rider. He also became a skilled, self-taught bicycle mechanic because of the many hours he spent building and repairing bicycles for all his friends and family. Then, as a teenager, Craig began working after school and during the summers as a bicycle repair mechanic at Uncle Bills, a popular, local general store.

When the 1980’s rolled around, Craig’s love for cycling turned into a love for competition. He became a member of the newly formed Cayman Islands Cycling Association, began formal training, and under the dedicated guidance from coaches Mr. Bobby Nunez and Mr. Ted Gray, well-known Cayman cycling and sports pioneers, Craig flourished as budding cyclist. Over the coming years, he represented the Cayman Islands in several international competitive events including the Olympics.Early on, Coach Ted Gray recognized Craig’s natural ability for speed and stamina, so he focused his training on time trials and track events. Major international cycling events each year required intense, continued training, a big part of which included competing in various regional competitions throughout the Caribbean like the Tour of Jamaica and Tour of Dominican Republic, as well as in the USA. The skills Craig built during these experiences paid off, enabling him to bring home the Cayman Islands’ first cycling medals.During his junior years, Craig won most, if not all, of the events in his...

When the 1980’s rolled around, Craig’s love for cycling turned into a love for competition. He became a member of the newly formed Cayman Islands Cycling Association, began formal training, and under the dedicated guidance from coaches Mr. Bobby Nunez and Mr. Ted Gray, well-known Cayman cycling and sports pioneers, Craig flourished as budding cyclist. Over the coming years, he represented the Cayman Islands in several international competitive events including the Olympics.

Early on, Coach Ted Gray recognized Craig’s natural ability for speed and stamina, so he focused his training on time trials and track events. Major international cycling events each year required intense, continued training, a big part of which included competing in various regional competitions throughout the Caribbean like the Tour of Jamaica and Tour of Dominican Republic, as well as in the USA. The skills Craig built during these experiences paid off, enabling him to bring home the Cayman Islands’ first cycling medals.

During his junior years, Craig won most, if not all, of the events in his division for both the junior titles the open class events. In fact, only nine months after competing in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, Craig became the first Caymanian to win 1 gold and 1 silver medal for the Cayman Islands for cycling during the 1985 CARIFTA Games in Bridgetown, Barbados. He won the gold in the 40km point’s race and the silver in the 400-meter individual pursuit, both track events.

Although Craig competed in many international cycling games, one of his proudest moments was representing the Cayman Islands at the 1984 Olympics Games in Los Angeles. Craig participated in the men’s 119-mile road race and the 100-mile team time trial, along with teammates Alfred Ebanks, Aldin Wint, and David Dibben. Craig was only 17 at the time and was the second youngest cyclist from 43 nations participating in cycling at the LA games. Interestingly, Craig also competed in these Olympics with his brother Duke Perri and sister Merilyn Philips, the first female Caymanian athlete that year.

Another remarkable testimony to his record occurred at the 1986 Central American Caribbean Games (CAC) held in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Craig crossed the line in the men’s road race in 20th place out of 70+ riders. He continued to represent the Cayman Islands at major international games, world championships, and various cycling tours before retiring from competitive cycling in August 1994, two years after competing in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Overall, Craig represented the Cayman Islands at three Olympics, one Pan-American games, two Commonwealth games, one Central American Caribbean games, one World Cycling Championships and many other international cycling events.

Since leaving competitive cycling, Craig has remained committed to the continued development of the sport of cycling. He has served as the President of the Cayman Islands Cycling Association and now, through Craig’s Cycles, uses his knowledge and experience helping others actively and safely enjoy bicycling. He humbly credits his later mother and his cycling coaches Mr. Robert Nunez, Mr. Ted Gray (RIP), Mr. John Reid (RIP) and many others who supported and encouraged him throughout his cycling career.