Prefontaine was No Role Model

Prefontaine was finally available after a few weeks of peeking for the movie at Blockbuster. I hadn't seen the movie and didn't know very much about this runner.

I was definitely motivated to run hard during and after seeing this movie. I must admit that he was a great runner, but I wasn't very impressed by him as a person. Maybe it was the movie making dramatic points and stretching the truth. I just can't help but think that he was an athlete before his time.

When I say he was before his time, I mean that in a bad Terrell Owens type of way. Prefontaine talked a big game. One scene in the movie has him bragging in the Olympic lunch room about how he will pass his competitors. All they will hear is a whoosh! as he flies by.

Later Prefontaine is organizing a track meet so he and his friends could compete against the best in the world. He discovers his competitor isn't going to race and the meet is in jeopardy of being cancelled. I couldn't help but think that this guy is a baby and is going to ruin the event for everyone because he isn't going to get his way.

The story is a tragedy in American history because he could have been one of the best runners in history. He had American records and was a favorite in the Montreal games before his sudden death. I respect Prefontaine for his achievements as I respect Terrell Owens for being the best WR in the game. As with many athletes, I am forced to stop short in saying he is somebody to emulate.

posted by jim @ 6:11 PM Permanent Link |