Jordan runner qualifies for Buenos Aires

AMMAN — Jordan has discovered another track and field jewel after Samer Jawhar qualified to the 3rd Youth Olympic Games that will be taking place in Buenos Aires in October.

The youngster finished third in the 800m at the Asian qualifying event in Bangkok, clocking a time of one minute 52.10 seconds to finish behind a pair of Indian runners.

Only the top two qualify, but Jawhar is in courtesy of an IAAF ruling that only allows one competitor per country for each discipline.

Jordan Athletics Federation President, Saed Hiasat, said: “This qualification reflects the huge improvement that we are seeing in athletics in Jordan.” Jawhar is the first track and field athlete to qualify to the Youth Olympic Games since it was launched in 2010.

He will join a Team Jordan that already contains Natali Al Humaidi, Zaid Mustafa and Rama Abu Al Rub (all taekwondo), Sara Al Armouti (equestrian), Abdullah Hammad (karate) and the 3x3 Basketball men’s team.