On Dec. 28, Leo Manzano planned a big announcement for New Year's Day. With many athlete contracts expiring at the end of 2013, would a shoe company finally clear up money and sign the Olympic 1,500-meter silver medalist? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Manzano remains unsponsored going into 2014. 

The big announcement planned was for the launch of his new website LeoManzano.com, where he will be selling t-shirts to help him fund his training and hire a coach. Manzano will continue to train with the Austin Track Club, but is no longer with his coach from 2012, Ryan Ponsonby. 

$20 will not just be spent on the t-shirt as Manzano looks to give back more to his fanbase and supporters. 

"In exchange, I invite you to be part of my training," Manzano writes in his press release. "I will be giving you my perspective on my training and letting you know the latest information of what's happening in Leo's World through a bilingual weekly blog entry."

The lack of a shoe contract did not keep Manzano from competing in over 20 races in 2013. 

"It has been pretty tough, but I love this sport. I've been without a sponsor now for over a year and I'm still going," Manzano told Flotrack. "I love the sport and I'm still looking forward to 2016. I'm not planning on quitting just yet. I don't think this is the way that I'm going to go out."

After a slow start to the season, the former Texas Longhorn silenced doubters with a second place 1,500-meter run finish at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines. He qualified for the national team and headed to Moscow, where he failed to make it out of the semifinal round at the IAAF World Championships. 

He ran a season's best of 3:33.14 at the Paris Diamond League meet in July. He has yet to set a personal best since his 3:32.37 in 2010. He shared his goals with Flotrack which include possibly running a personal best in the 3:31 range. 

Manzano ends his introductory post on his website with optimism for the new year. 

"I envision a time where we will both work together to achieve success. I believe that it is good when one is successful, but that is not enough," Manzano writes. "We must strive to do anything we can to ensure that everyone around us is also able to achieve their goals. I feel truly honored to have your support and I hope that we are able to mutually inspire each other to achieve said success."
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To become a "sponsor" for Leo Manzano, the link to his t-shirts can be found here.