Lapierre nabs second in long jump

Australian Fabrice Lapierre's season-best effort of 8.36m was enough to grab second in the men's long jump in the Diamond League meet in Rabat.

Fabrice Lapierre competes in the men's long jump

Australia's Fabrice Lapierre has finished second in the men's long jump at the Diamond League. (AAP)

Fabrice Lapierre has delivered yet again under pressure, with the red-hot Rio Olympics medal contender finishing second in the men's long jump at the Diamond League meet in Rabat.

The 32-year-old Australian produced a best wind-assisted leap of 8.36m, just 2cm shy of victor Rushwal Samaai from South Africa.

Lapierre also recorded a clutch legal jump of 8.31m in the third round.

"My day didn't start well, with two sub-par jumps including one where my leg collapsed under me to really reduce the distance," said the 2015 world championships silver medallist.

"Thankfully I managed a great third attempt of 8.31m to secure a spot in the top four and get another three attempts.

"My biggest jump of 8.36m in the fifth was probably both hampered and assisted by the huge tail wind. The board camp up quicker than it normally would so I had to pull up a little early.

"I'm very happy to have jumped out past 8.30m twice today and to head home with a season's best."

The glamour couple of Australian athletics, Ryan Gregson and Genevieve LaCaze, also impressed in the Moroccan capital.

Less than a week after guaranteeing his spot on the Australian team for the Rio Olympics, Gregson clocked his fastest 1500m time in four years, stopping the clock at three minutes 34.43 seconds to claim third spot.

Not to be outdone, LaCaze broke her personal best in her favoured 3000m steeplechase, running 9:32.67 to finish fourth.

The versatile LaCaze has also bettered her PBs in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m this year.

Kathryn Mitchell was third in the women's javelin with 60.68m.

Another member of the Australian team for the Rio Olympics, reigning 10,000m national champion David McNeill, was third in the prestigious Greater Manchester Run 10km road race behind Ethiopian superstar Kenenisa Bekele and Kenyan Wilson Kipsang.

Bekele clocked a winning time of 28:08, with McNeill 31 seconds adrift in third place.


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Source: AAP



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