Pre kilpaili Suomessakin!

Steve "Pre" Prefontainen kilpailukalenteri:

- - - 1973 - - -
6/23 Helsinki, Intl Meet, 1500m, 3rd
6/27 Helsinki, World Gms, 5000m 2nd
6/28 1500m, 11th (Pre sets new American 5000m record)
7/1 Kajaani, Intl Meet, 1500m 2nd (Dave Wottle 1st)
7/2 Joensuu, Intl Meet, 1500m 3rd (Dave Wottle 1st)
7/4 Oulu, Intl Meet, 5000m 1st
- - - 1974 - - -
6/18 Tampere, Intl Meet, 3000m 1st
6/20 Kuahava, Intl Meet, 3000m 1st
6/22 Saarijarvi, Intl Meet, 3000m 1st
6/26 Helsinki, World Gms, 5000m 2nd (Pre sets new American record)
7/9 Varkaus, Intl Meet, 3000m 1st
7/14 Joutseno, Intl Meet, 5000m 1st
9/10 Helsinki, Intl Meet, 5000m 3rd (Lasse Viren defeats Pre again; Pre was injured from smoke inhalation a week prior)

 Pre was fond of Finland and its excellent and hospitable runners and field athletes. Pre organized the visit of a group of Finnish athletes to come to Oregon in May, 1975, and compete in a series of four track and field meets around the state and British Columbia. Before the final meet at Hayward Field in Eugene OR, Pre and a couple of the Finns also competed in the California Relays at Modesto CA on May 24th. It was Pre's hope that Lasse Viren could participate in the Finnish tour so he could have another try at winning a 5000m race against him in a friendly rivalry. Alas, Lasse could not come due to injury and the chance was lost since Steve died in a one car accident after he ran the final US-Finnish meet in Eugene, Oregon, May 29, 1975. Steve won the 5000m event at that meet, his last race ever. That evening he participated in a farewell party for the Finnish athletes as they were departing the next morning for Finland. He was on his way home from the party and was killed after dropping runner Frank Shorter off near where the accident took place.

Linkki uutiseen:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehappyrower/4575172603/in/photostream/