Name Tracy Smith | Role Long-distance runner | |
Tracy Evans Smith (born March 15, 1945, in Altadena, California) is a retired American long distance runner. He represented the United States at the 1968 Olympics. He won multiple national championships including the 6 mile run in 1966, the 10,000 meters in 1968, the 3 mile run in 1969, representing the United States Army outdoors, and the 3 mile run in 1966, 1967 and 1973 indoors. He ran for Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California and Oregon State University.
At the 1968 Olympics, Tracy received a telegram from tennis star Arthur Ashe. Ashe had addressed the telegram to "T Smith, USA Track Team." This telegram was intended for Tommie Smith, 200m gold medalist famous for his "raised fist" protest. (citation needed. However, Tracy related this story on many occasions.)
Tracy can be seen in the background of the last picture taken of Steve Prefontaine before his death, competing in the 1500 on the Hayward Field track at the University of Oregon
Upon retiring from competition, Tracy settled in Prineville, Oregon where he coached the high school distance runners, was a speech/language specialist, and continued a life long love of running well into his 70's. Tracy survived a cancer scare, retired from the Crook County school district then settled on a farm in Ecuador.