Hazle, a former multi-sport standout at Temple High School and a first-time United States Olympian, failed late Wednesday night to qualify for the final of the men’s javelin throw.

After scratching on his first attempt, Hazle recorded a throw of 72.75 meters on his second try and a 71.69 on his final attempt. His best mark was almost 7 meters short of the distance needed to make the 12-man final.

Latvia’s Vadims Vasilevskis had the top qualifying mark of 83.51, and Sweden’s Magnus Arvidsson grabbed the last spot in the final with a 79.70.

Mid-morning rain showers Thursday in Beijing delayed the start of both qualifying flights by more than an hour.

Hazle’s mark - his worst at a meet since midseason of last year - placed him 12th in the second preliminary group. His career-best throw is an 82.21, which came earlier this season at a meet in Doha, Qatar.

American Leigh Smith threw 76.55 in Hazle’s flight and teammate Breaux Greer threw 73.68 in the first group, leaving the U.S. without a competitor for the final.

Finland - a dominant force in the javelin for decades - had three athletes qualify for the final, and Latvia had two.