To the Editor.— Steve Prefontaine on the cover ofThe Journaland a French-Canadian Steve Prefontaine helping ignite the Olympic flame in Montreal must have provided a pause for thought for track fans across the United States. The painting on the cover is accomplished and exciting, but the title appears to be in error. Prefontaine did not attempt to qualify for the 800 m (half-mile) in the 1972 Olympic Trials. Rather, the painting shows him winning the 5,000 m final in American record time in the 1972 Olympic Trials held here in Eugene. Dave Wottle won the 800 meters in world record time. Gerry Lindgren is wearing #485.