Prefontaine (film)
Prefontaine is a 1997 American biographical film chronicling the life of the American longdistance runner Steve Prefontaine and his death at age 24. Jared Leto plays the title character and R. Lee Ermey plays Bill Bowerman. The film was written by Steve James and Eugene Corr, and directed by James. Prefontaine tells the story from the point of view of Bill Dellinger, played by Ed ONeill, the assistant coach who was with him daytoday, and Nancy Alleman, the runners girlfriend at the time of his death.
Prefontaine accompanies other top American runners including Frank Shorter and Jeff Galloway to the 1972 Munich Olympics, where they witness the terrorist attacks of the Munich Massacre which interrupt and almost cancel the games. In the 5,000meter, after leading with only 150 meters to go, three different runners including the winner, Finlands Lasse Viren, pass Prefontaine and he does not win a medal.After his college career ends, Prefontaine prepares for a rematch with Viren at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The strict amateurism rules of American noncollegiate sports force Prefontaine to turn down a lucrative offer to become a professional runner, instead working as a bartender while living in a trailer home. He becomes an activist to help American athletes compete against betterfunded international rivals. On May 30, 1975, after drinking alcohol at a postmeet party, Prefontaine is killed when his MG convertible flips while driving. After his death, the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 gives athletes more control over their sports governance. ........
Source: Wikipedia
