Steve Prefontaine

It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.

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.

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

What does it prove, running in the AAU meet?

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 decided that if I was going to continue in track, that I didn't want to lose, that I wasn't going to lose.