Francisco Sánchez (runner) facts for kids
Francisco Sánchez Vargas (born May 18, 1958) is a retired Spanish long-distance runner. He was born in La Rinconada, a town in the Seville province of Spain. Francisco was best known for competing in the 3000 metres steeplechase, which is a running race with hurdles and water jumps.
About Francisco Sánchez Vargas
Francisco Sánchez Vargas was a talented athlete who represented his country, Spain, in many important running events. He specialized in long-distance races, especially the 3000 metres steeplechase. This event is challenging because runners have to jump over barriers and a water pit during the race.
Major Competitions
Francisco had the honor of competing for Spain at the 1980 Olympic Games. The Olympics are the biggest sports event in the world, where athletes from many countries compete.
He also took part in other major international competitions:
- The 1983 World Championships
- The 1986 European Championships
- The 1987 World Championships
In these championships, he competed against the best runners from around the globe. While he didn't reach the final race in these events, his participation showed he was among the top athletes in his sport.
Key Achievements
One of Francisco's biggest achievements was winning a bronze medal at the 1983 Mediterranean Games. The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport event similar to the Olympics, but for countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Winning a medal there was a great success for him and for Spain.
He also set a personal best time in the 3000 metres steeplechase. His fastest time was 8 minutes and 16.59 seconds. He achieved this impressive time in August 1983 in West Berlin. A personal best is the fastest time an athlete has ever run in a specific event.
Later Career
In 1988, Francisco Sánchez Vargas won the Cross Zornotza race. This is a well-known cross country running event held in Spain. Winning this race was another highlight in his career as a long-distance runner.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Sánchez Vargas para niños
