José Luis González
Encyclopedia
José Luis González Sánchez (born December 8, 1957 in Villanueva de la Sagra, Toledo
) was one of the world's fastest 1500 metres
runners of the 1980s. In a legendary race in Nice 1985, Gonzalez came third behind Steve Cram
and Saïd Aouita
, who became the first man to run the distance below 3.30 minutes. Gonzalez set a Spanish record of 3:30.92 minutes and a few weeks later also ran a new record over one mile in 3:47.79 min.
In 1987, Gonzalez won a silver medal at the World Championships in Rome when he finished behind Abdi Bile
. Gonzalez ran the same time (3:38.03) as Jim Spivey
but was placed ahead of the American. He won World Indoor Championships silver medals in 1985 and 1989
.
Toledo (province)
Toledo is a province of central Spain, in the western part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It is bordered by the provinces of Madrid, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, Badajoz, Cáceres, and Ávila....
) was one of the world's fastest 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
runners of the 1980s. In a legendary race in Nice 1985, Gonzalez came third behind Steve Cram
Steve Cram
Stephen "Steve" Cram MBE is a British retired athlete. Along with fellow Britons Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, he was one of the world's dominant middle distance runners during the 1980s. Nicknamed "The Jarrow Arrow", Cram set world records in the 1500 metres, 2000 metres and the mile during a...
and Saïd Aouita
Said Aouita
Saïd Aouita is a former Moroccan athlete, winner of 5000 meters at the 1984 Summer Olympics, 5000 meters at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, 3000 meters at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships, and former world record holder at 1500m , 2000m , 3000m , and twice at 5000m [ and ]...
, who became the first man to run the distance below 3.30 minutes. Gonzalez set a Spanish record of 3:30.92 minutes and a few weeks later also ran a new record over one mile in 3:47.79 min.
In 1987, Gonzalez won a silver medal at the World Championships in Rome when he finished behind Abdi Bile
Abdi Bile
Abdi Bile is a former middle distance runner from Somalia. In 1987 he became world champion in the 1500 metres, the first Somali to do so.-Career:...
. Gonzalez ran the same time (3:38.03) as Jim Spivey
Jim Spivey
James Calvin Spivey is a former American middle distance runner and Olympian.Spivey began running competitively in 1975 as a sophomore in cross country and on the track at Fenton High School in Bensenville, Illinois...
but was placed ahead of the American. He won World Indoor Championships silver medals in 1985 and 1989
1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 2nd IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held at the Budapest Sportcsarnok in Budapest, Hungary from March 3 to March 5, 1989. There were a total number of 373 participating athletes from 62 countries.-Men:1985 | 1987 | 1989 | 1991 | 1993...
.