"A lot of people run to see who is fastest. I run to see who has more guts " (Steve Prefontaine)
the night of May 30, 1975 Steve Prefontaine went to a party in the town of Eugene (Oregon, USA). Back home, after dropping off his friend and great marathoner Frank Shorter, lost control of his blue MGB while driving on Skyline Boulevard and crashed into a rock. The car overturned and the athlete was caught under it. A resident of the area came and found him still alive. Seeing that he could not get, ran for help, when he returned minutes later, the weight of the car had crushed Prefontaine's chest.
never been clarified certain unknowns who planned the circumstances of the accident, such as whether or not he had drunk alcohol, or if there was a second car involved in it (it was said to be off the road while trying to dodge another vehicle coming from the front). Either way, the accident ended the life of one of the best runners I've ever had the United States actually came to possess while national records in all distances ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 meters, a feat never accomplished before or after him.
His death caused a great shock between athletics, including the Prefontaine was a true hero because of his charisma, his aggressive style when competing and will power. "Surrender is not an option," he would say. That was his philosophy in life and athletics. Talented, enthusiastic, charismatic, his love for athletics was infinite and his work ethic, impeccable: "Give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift", he once said. He liked to force their limits, trained hard twice a day to get used to pain and exhaustion, to endure fatigue levels than any other athlete could endure. With their careers, their memorable phrases, their determination and his infinite desire to win has served and continues to serve as an inspiration to athletes around the world.
is considered, along with Frank Shorter and Bill Bowerman, the head of the boom in distance running in America in the 70's. His life has been an argument for two films: Prefontaine (1997) and Without Limits (1998), and each year takes place in Eugene an athletics event in his honor (the Prefontaine Classic ), where brings together some of the best athletes in the world. Steve Roland Prefontaine
was born on January 25, 1951 in Coos Bay, Oregon locality. He began to practice athletics when high school student in the Marshfield High School , which already emerged as one of the best riders of his age. In 1970 he enrolled at the University of Oregon, attracted by the "supply" of the famous coach Bill Bowerman: "If you come to this university can be the best long distance runner the world," said founder who would, years later, Nike company. Indeed, Bowerman got the better of Steve Young, managing to mix his enormous capacity for sacrifice and work ethic (meticulous and perfectionist) with certain improvements in the way they train and race to dose your efforts.
" Go Pre! "
stage in college (1970-73) no American runner could win it. Were years of continued success in that it showed its enormous potential in the landscape of international fund. He won two national championships all in the 5,000 meters (1971 and 73), and seven national collegiate champion, four in the 5,000 meters in track and three in cross. Prefontaine, known colloquially as "Pre" - became immensely popular, especially for its spectacular form of racing, always on the attack ("I go running, I get the lead from the first round and won) , and his strong personality and indomitable rebel. Contesting every race as if it were the last. When running, the fans chanted "Pre! Pre! Pre!", And t-shirts that read "Go Pre!" Were sold throughout the United States. "I do not go to the track only to run. I like to give viewers something exciting, "he would say. Thus, he gained the attention of the media and went on to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated just 19 years.
On July 9, 1972, during the selection trials in your country for the Olympic Games in Munich, set a new U.S. record United in the 5,000 meters with 13:22.8. Already in the Munich Games, with 21 years, qualified for the finals and came very close to getting a medal. After going ahead during much of the evidence, in conflict with the Finn Lasse Viren, had to settle for fourth place he knew to failure. However, wicked young and already installed in the elite of the global fund, his best years as an athlete should be to come.
Prefontaine Between 1973 and 1975 did not fail to reap new victories and personal bests, records extraordinary for its time: 3:38.1 in the 1,500; 3.54.6 in the mile, 7:42.6 in the 3,000 meters in 13:21.87 5,000, 27:43.6 in the 10,000 ... His record lasted for many years in all distances ranging from 1,500 meters to 10,000. addition, during these years, led the rebellion against U.S. athletes federation, American Athletic Union (AAU), accusing it of no help: "We call for medals, but our country does not give us anything change, "he said. At that time, the rules stipulated that professional athletes could not compete in the Olympics, and in that regard, the AAU was particularly strict, so Prefontaine gave up large amounts of money chasing his Olympic dream.
played his last race 29 May 1975. He won the 5,000 meters at Hayward Field of Eugene, with a time of 13:23, just two seconds behind his personal record. It was the favorite for the Olympic Games in Montreal, was unbeatable in the United States, a media figure, an idol of the masses ... but everything was shattered the next day in a bloody accident. "Most people race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has more guts, who can punish himself with a comprehensive rate and, ultimately, punished further. Nobody is going to win a race of 5,000 meters after running two miles easy. At least not me. " Are words of someone who won 120 of the 153 races he played. Steve Prefontaine, the indomitable athlete, could not live the bright future that was written, found the end with only 24 years old ... Too young to die.
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