Butch Reynolds

Harry "Butch" Reynolds (born June 8 1964, Columbus, Ohio) is a former 400 metres sprinter, representing the United States. On August 17 1988 he set a 400 meters world record with 43.29 seconds, smashing Lee Evans' 20 year old world record by an amazing 0.57 seconds. The record was finally broken by Michael Johnson in 1999.

Drug suspension and legal fight

Butch Reynolds was suspended for two years by the IAAF for illegal drug use in 1990. This was the start of a long legal fight. In 1992 the US Supreme court ordered the United States Olympic Committee to allow him to participate in the American Olympic trials. This was a violation of the laws of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which clearly prohibited suspended athletes from competing. In fact, according to the IAAF laws, any athlete that competed against Butch Reynolds should also be suspended. The American olympic trial 400 metres heats were postponed for four days, but the IAAF finally backed down. Reynolds finished 5th in the trials, and qualified for a place as a substitute on the American 4 x 400 metres relay team. However, the IAAF banned him from starting in the 1992 Olympics.

Related Topics:
United States Olympic Committee - International Olympic Committee - International Association of Athletics Federations

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