The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them?
Steve PrefontaineRead
How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been telling me, 'You're too small Pre', 'You're not fast enough Pre', 'Give up your foolish dream Steve'. But they forgot something, I HAVE TO WIN.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes perseverance in the face of doubt and adversity.
Steve Prefontaine highlights the determination and resilience needed to overcome obstacles, both physical and societal. Despite being told he is too small or not fast enough, he is driven by an inner resolve to succeed, underscoring the importance of self-belief and hard work in achieving one's goals.
Themes
DeterminationPerseveranceDreamsSuccessOvercoming Obstacles
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams despite the odds.
More from Steve Prefontaine
All quotes →The best pace is a suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die.
Steve PrefontaineRead
Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative.
Steve PrefontaineRead
This is my last year at Oregon, and it means a lot to me. The people have been great to me up there, so if I have to run three races to win the Pac-8 title, I'll do it. Oh, sure, I'll probably be tired, but the people shouting will carry me across the finish line.
Steve PrefontaineRead
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.
Steve PrefontaineRead
I'm the one who has made all the sacrifices. Those are my American records, not the country's.
Steve PrefontaineRead
Similar quotes
You fail, and then what? Life goes on. It's only when you risk failure that you discover things.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
Set a goal to achieve something that is so big, so exhilarating that it excites you and scares you at the same time.
Bob ProctorRead
Don't talk age! Age has nothing to do with it. One of my guys who started out at my gym is 87 now, and he still does ten bench-press reps with a hundred-pound dumbbell in each hand. He's training to set a leg-pressing record. I put things in the guy's brain way back when, and now he'll never get away from it.
Jack LalanneRead
When I checked into SEAL Team One many years ago, one of the things that I noticed was there was this old guy, who was younger than I am today, who I decided that I was going to be like. I wanted to emulate what he was doing, and one of those things was he got to work before anybody else.
Jocko WillinkRead
Realize that enough hidden strength lies within you to overcome all obstacles and temptations. Bring forth that indomitable power and energy.
Paramahansa YoganandaRead
Life, Stormy says, is not about how fast you run or even with what degree of grace. It's about perseverance, about staying on your feet and slogging forward no matter what.
Dean KoontzRead