Steve Prefontaine Biography

Occup.Athlete
FromUSA
BornJanuary 25, 1951
DiedMay 30, 1975
Aged24 years
Steve Roland Prefontaine, commonly known as "Pre," was born on January 25, 1951, in the little seaside city of Coos Bay, Oregon, United States. A highly-celebrated American middle- and long-distance runner, Prefontaine quickly increased to popularity in the early 1970s as a record-setting athlete both in college and international competition. Throughout his occupation, Prefontaine set numerous national records as well as was widely thought about one of the pioneers of the American running movement throughout his time.

The eldest of three siblings, Prefontaine grew up in a working-class family members with his mother Elfriede, a German immigrant, and also his daddy Raymond, a carpenter. From a very early age, he exhibited natural athletic capabilities, playing numerous sporting activities such as football and basketball prior to uncovering his real enthusiasm for running during his time at Marshfield High School. Under the guidance of train Walt McClure, Prefontaine refined his skills and also took place to win 2 state championships in the mile and two-mile events.

In spite of not being highly-recruited by top collegiate programs, Prefontaine was at some point found by Bill Bowerman, the famous University of Oregon track trainer who would later on co-found Nike. Bowerman provided Prefontaine a full-ride scholarship to sign up with the Oregon Ducks track team.

Upon arrival at the University of Oregon, Prefontaine continued his dominant trajectory by establishing countless documents and gaining high praises from colleagues, instructors, and rivals alike. During his time at the University, Prefontaine gathered seven NCAA titles: 3 at the 3-mile range and also 4 at 5,000 meters. His phenomenal efficiencies elevated American distance going to worldwide prestige and also made him a sought-after agent at several global showing off events.

In 1972, Prefontaine competed in the Munich Olympics as a 21-year-old, completing fourth in the highly-competitive 5,000-meter race. In spite of directly losing out on a medal, his unrelenting decision and tough competition, famously known as "the Prefontaine front-running style," made him a devoted fanbase as well as intrigued the international running community.

Beyond the track, Prefontaine was very outspoken regarding the well-being of amateur professional athletes, often slamming the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) for its unjust therapy of athletes. He thought that the AAU's guidelines protected against athletes from gaining a living through recommendations as well as sponsorship offers, compeling lots of to retire too soon.

Unfortunately, Steve Prefontaine's exceptional life as well as career were interrupted when he died at the age of 24 in a terrible single-car crash in Eugene, Oregon, on May 30, 1975. Following a post-race celebration, Prefontaine collapsed his sports car while driving alone, as well as the effect killed him instantly.

Considering that his unexpected passing, Steve Prefontaine's contributions to the running globe have remained to motivate future generations of professional athletes. Various publications, docudramas, and also feature movies have actually been made to recognize his life as well as tradition-- at times including people such as his trains Walt McClure and also Bill Bowerman, in addition to members of his family. Today, Pre's impact on the sport continues to be really felt as his spirit survives on through the plenty of athletes that lace up their running shoes and also chase their desires.

Our collection contains 9 quotes who is written / told by Steve.

Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

9 Famous quotes by Steve Prefontaine

Small: You have to wonder at times what youre doing out there. Over the years, Ive given myself a thousand rea
"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement"
Small: What I want is to be number one
"What I want is to be number one"
Small: To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
Small: Something inside of me just said Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him, and I just took off
"Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off"
Small: Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it
"Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it"
Small: Im going to work so that its a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win i
"I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it"
Small: I run to see who has the most guts
"I run to see who has the most guts"
Small: How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races?
"How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races?"
Small: A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish hi
"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more"