Steve “Pre” Prefontaine would flip 73 on Thursday, and the legendary runner’s enduring legacy and affect on the game continues. From Coos Bay, Ore., Pre turned one of many largest stars within the sport throughout his time on the College of Oregon within the 70s, the place he held seven American information from the two,000m to the ten,000m. Listed below are 5 info concerning the iconic runner, whose achievements and phrases proceed to encourage and resonate worldwide.
Trailblazer of distance operating
Prefontaine was a pioneer in distance operating, recognized for his fearless strategy and unwavering willpower. He burst onto the scene within the early Seventies, and his aggressive front-running type and refusal to accept something however victory revolutionized distance operating within the U.S. and past.
Prefontaine’s Olympic journey was tragically minimize brief when he was 24. Prefontaine competed within the 1972 Summer time Olympics in Munich and was making ready for the 1976 Olympics with the Oregon Monitor Membership when he died in a automobile accident on Could 30, 1975.
Advocate for athlete’s rights
Past his achievements on the monitor, Prefontaine was a vocal advocate for the rights of newbie athletes. He challenged the present system, ruled by the Novice Athletic Union (AAU) that restricted athletes’ capacity to earn cash whereas sustaining their newbie standing. Prefontaine defied the AAU by organizing a collection of meets with a bunch of Finnish athletes. Considered one of these meets, held at Marshfield Excessive College in 1975, was the place Prefontaine set his final American file.
Legendary duel on the 1972 Munich Olympics
Considered one of Prefontaine’s most memorable moments was the 5,000-meter race on the 1972 Munich Olympics. In a fierce battle in opposition to Finnish runner Lasse Virén, Prefontaine showcased his indomitable spirit, ending fourth in a race that’s typically thought-about one of many best duels in Olympic historical past. The picture of Prefontaine pushing himself to the restrict serves as a timeless reminder of his aggressive hearth.
4️⃣6️⃣ years in the past at the moment, a 21-year-old Pre approached the bell-lap bloodied by spike wounds however nonetheless in competition for Munich Olympic 🥇. Lasse Viren was too robust and accomplished his gold-medal 5k/10k double, whereas Pre was utterly spent and completed 4th.#PreLives pic.twitter.com/SrmEtQnKPA
— The Prefontaine Basic (@nikepreclassic) September 10, 2018
Nike’s first signature athlete
In 1974, Prefontaine signed with Nike for $5,000—as the primary runner to signal with the corporate, he jump-started the model as a operating shoe firm. Invoice Bowerman, the sports activities coach on the College of Oregon, additionally occurred to be the co-founder of Nike. In 2022, a pair of Nike Oregon Waffle sneakers worn by distance runner Prefontaine had been bought for USD $163,800 on the public sale website, Sothebys.com.
The Prefontaine Basic
In honor of Pre’s lasting affect on the game, the Prefontaine Basic, an annual monitor and area meet, was established in Eugene, Ore. This prestigious occasion attracts elite athletes from around the globe and continues to be a becoming tribute to Pre’s legacy. Hayward Subject, the place the meet is held, holds a particular place within the hearts of runners because the venue the place Prefontaine achieved a lot of his outstanding feats.
Prefontaine is remembered not just for his athletic prowess but additionally for the fervour, braveness, and advocacy that outlined his life.
