Steve Prefontaine Quotes

“I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.”

“Coos Bay is a sports-minded town. You had to be an athlete to be somebody.”

“You probably chose cross-country because you were too small to play football.”

“I've been in international competition, and now I know what the big boys can do. You don't go out and just run. There's an offence and a defence.”

“If he's having a good day and running the right race, nobody can beat Frank Shorter at 10,000 metres... nobody except me.”

“It's hard to run a mile when you're not a miler and to kick when you've led all the way.”

“Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odour.”

“World records at 19. I don't want that. Later, yes. And when it comes, I'll learn to live with it, but it won't be my first love.”

“I used to say, "Hey, man, what kind of a stupid question is that?" to a newspaperman asking me heavy things right after a race when I'm still in an emotional state. Now I at least try to answer.”

“I don't care about being on television.”

“If you can make money with your talents, why not?”

“I like to be able to go out to dinner once in a while. I like to be able to drive my MG up the McKenzie River on a weekday afternoon. I like to be able to pay my bills on time.”

“American athletes, especially distance runners, are at a big disadvantage against the rest of the world. We're expected to live by all the rules, like not being able to coach, but still train and make our own living.”

“I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.”

“If the Olympics come around, and I'm in shape, then I'll compete. But I won't be representing the United States; I'll be representing myself.”

“What does it prove, running in the AAU meet?”

“The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them?”

“Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen.”