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.
To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.
Steve Prefontaine Olympic athlete
- Gender: Male
- Citizenship: United States
- Born: Jan 25, 1951
- Died: May 30, 1975
Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine was an American middle and long-distance runner who competed in the 1972 Olympics. Prefontaine once held the American record in seven different distance track events from the 2,000 meters to the 10,000 meters. Prefontaine died in May 1975 at the age of 24 in an auto accident.
Prefontaine, Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, and Bill Rodgers generated considerable media coverage which helped inspire the 1970s "running boom". Prefontaine was often known for his mustache and his long locks of hair that parted as he ran.