Prefontaine (film)

Prefontaine is a 1997 American biographical film directed by Steve James. The film chronicles the life and career of Steve Prefontaine, a charismatic and talented distance runner who competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics and tragically died in a car accident at the age of 24.

The film stars Jared Leto as Prefontaine and explores his ambition, dedication to running, and his impact on the sport. It highlights his battles with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) regarding compensation for athletes and his desire to make running more accessible and popular in the United States.

Prefontaine depicts his relationship with his coach, Bill Bowerman (played by R. Lee Ermey), who later co-founded Nike. It also showcases his romance with Mary Marckx (played by Amy Locane), and his training regimen.

The film offers a dramatic portrayal of Prefontaine's life and untimely death, emphasizing his legacy as a running icon. It is one of two biopics released in the late 1990s about Prefontaine, the other being Without Limits (1998).