Steve Prefontaine

Athlete

1951-01-25

Quotes by Steve Prefontaine

• I have a positive mental attitude, and I think I'm divine, but I also think it takes a heck of a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

  Read quote

• Nobody likes tainted victories.

  Read quote

• 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.

  Read quote

• If I want to go to Europe and get thrashed by the Europeans, that's my business. Every race I lose I learn from and get tougher.

  Read quote

• Did you ever run behind a slow pack? You get a trailing wind and a lot of body odor.

  Read quote

• If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself. But if it's a slow pace, and I get beaten by a kicker who leaches off the front, then I'll always wonder, 'What if...?'

  Read quote

• When people go to a track meet, they're looking for something, a world record, something that hasn't been done before. You get all this magnetic energy, people focusing on one thing at the same time. I really get excited about it. It makes me want to compete even more. It makes it all worthwhile, all the hours of hard work.

  Read quote

• 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.

  Read quote

• Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

  Read quote

• To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.

  Read quote