Prefontaine Classic To Be Grand Prix Meet

The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., will become a Grand Prix track and field meet in 1996, replacing the Jenner Classic, sources told the Associated Press.

In addition, the financially plagued New York Games, a Grand Prix meet, will be moved to Atlanta next year.

The Prefontaine Classic is named after the late long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine. It will replace the Jenner Classic, held at San Jose, Calif., since 1977, on the Grand Prix circuit.

The Pre meet, which marked the 20th anniversary of Prefontaine’s death this year, attracted a standing-room-only crowd 13,655. The Jenner meet has had difficulty in lining up sponsors in recent years.

The tentative date for the Pre meet next year is May 25. The Jenner Classic, now reduced to a Grand Prix II meet, is tentiavely set for June 1.