Discover the legends of athletics in our monthly feature On the Shoulders of Giants.
Steve Prefontaine
Pre…Pre…Pre…
The chant that rung around the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon throughout the late ‘60s and early ‘70s was for the American track icon Steve Prefontaine. At the tender age of 19 Pre was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and in an era when Track and Field was the second most popular sport in the US, Steve Prefontaine was a rock star. The mecca of track was the Hayward Field and Pre’s races would attract up to 25,000 adoring fans.
Pre…Pre…Pre…
Pre was different. That seems to be the consensus amongst those who knew the charismatic young Coos Bay native. Brimming with confidence, wit and style, everyone was a fan of the most quotable athlete the world has ever encountered. Pre’s post-race interviews were often as entertaining as the race. “No matter how hard you train, Somebody will train harder. No matter how hard you run, Somebody will run harder. No matter how much you want it, Somebody will want it more. I am Somebody."
Pre…Pre…Pre…
Perhaps of all of Pre’s characteristics it was his stubbornness that may have shaped him most. Considered two small for football in High School, Pre found in running a way to beat the big guys, and to put his stamp on the world. From an early age, Pre would refuse to be beaten. Instead, he would quickly take the lead in races and was happy operating on the red line where a blow up was always a possibility. He famously said, “The best pace is a suicide pace, and today is a good day to die!” However, Pre soon found that the only place he was comfortable was at the front and he honed his ability to front race and control the tempo.
Pre…Pre…Pre…
The 1972 Olympics in Munich was set up for Pre to sprinkle his stardust on the world. At the age of 21 Pre was still a novice in terms of international racing. The vast majority of his track experiences taking place on the collegiate circle or in other US based meets. But such was his confidence Pre was sure that he would be able to bring a surprise element to the Games which would catch the dominant European runners off guard. The ’72 Olympics were overshadowed by the tragic events that took place in the athlete village on the eve of the games. Pre like so many others was deeply affected. Convinced by Coach Bowerman that participation was the only action, he attempted to remain focused. Often nominated as one of the best Olympic finals, the 5,000m pitched the outspoken Prefontaine against the Finn Lasse Viren. The race opened with an excruciatingly slow first two miles before Pre took control of the pace as they entered the last mile. A sprint finish was not in Pre’s interests, he needed to burn off the competition. This long drive for home was an approach that Viren would often take himself and he sat in behind Pre and let the young American do the work. Halfway through the penultimate lap, Pre quickened the pace again, and together with Viren, the World Record holder and 10000m Gold medallist, and the Tunisian Mohammed Gammoudi, they broke free from the rest. At the bell, Viren surged to the front. The next few hundred metres epitomise Pre. Another athlete would have covered the move but protected their own bronze medal position. Instead, Pre continued to surge forward. With 200m to go, Pre made his final move which was matched by Gammoudi before Viren glided past both athletes showing his class to stride away to victory. Pre was visibly faltering, as he entered the last 80m, he appeared to be running in treacle, and the fast-finishing Ian Stewart caught Pre just before the line. 4th place. Pre's desire to always win, to think of anything other than Gold as a failure, depriving the young American of an Olympic medal. After initial disappointment, Pre’s attentions quickly turned to Montreal in ’76 and a chance for redemption.
Pre…Pre…Pre…
Just like Hendrix, Cobain, and other superstar rock stars, Pre’s life was tragically cut short. On his way home from a party in May '75, Pre’s car crossed the road, flipped and hit a wall. At the time of his death, aged 24, Pre held every US outdoor track record from 2km to 10km.
Pre…Pre…Pre…
“For of all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these: It might have been.”,
John Greenleaf Whittier.
Tadhg Crowley
14 December 2022