Manzano qualifies for 1,500-meters at World Championships in Moscow
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
PARIS — Olympic silver medalist Leonel Manzano did exactly what he set out to do.
The middle-distance runner and 2004 Marble Falls High School graduate hit the A-standard for the 1,500 meters by finishing in 3 minutes 33.14 seconds at the Meeting AREVA (IAAF Diamond League) for third place on July 6.
With his time, the former Granite Shoals resident will now compete at the World Championships in Moscow on Aug. 10-18.
Manzano was second at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 23 but finished in 3:45.35. His placing assured him a spot on the team, but it wasn’t guaranteed because of a rules change that went into effect this year by the world governing body of track and field.
Now 1,500-meter runners must hit the A-standard of 3:35 along with finishing in the top three of their country’s national meet to compete in the World Championships.
Before he went to Europe in late June, Manzano said his No. 1 objective was to meet the A-standard as quickly as possible.
“Once you hit the A-standard, you don’t have to worry about it,” he said.
In addition to running the 1,500 meters, Manzano also competed in the 800 meters. He finished in 1:46.28 but didn’t advance to the finals.
Manzano won the silver medal in the 1,500-meter race at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
jfierro@thepicayune.com