Reynolds Butch

Butch Reynolds was born in Akron , pc. Ohio

Beginning of a sports career

He was first made to speak about himself in 1987 when he ran 400 m at a student competition in Columbus in 44.10 seconds, closely approaching the world record of Lee Evans (43.86), set at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. For almost 20 years, the “magic” line of 44 seconds remained insurmountable for the best athletes in the world. Only Evans and Larry James ran faster, finishing second in Mexico City (43.97). After Mexico City, Cuban runner Alberto Hunatorena, who won the 1976 Olympics in Montreal with a score of 44.26, came closest to this line.

In 1987, Reynolds twice approached the milestone of 44 seconds, showing 44.13 in June at Baton Rouge and 44.15 in July in London. In the same year, another promising sprinter first announced himself - Nigerian Innocent Egbunike, who in August showed two excellent results - 44.23 in Nairobi and 44.17 in Zurich.

1988 year. Seoul Olympics

In 1988, Reynolds, for the first time in his sports career, overcame the 44-second mark, showing 43.93 at the Olympic qualifiers in Indianopolis. At the same time, Danny Everett, who took second place, overcame this line, falling behind Reynolds by 0.05 s. Runner-up Steve Lewis showed 44.37.

August 17, 1988 lasted almost 20 years, the "eternal" world record of Lee Evans fell. At the annual World Class in Zurich competitions, in the first preliminary race, Reynolds ran 43.29, exceeding his previous achievement by more than half a second. This record lasted 11 years and was beaten by current world record holder Michael Johnson (43.18 in August 1999). The main competitors of Reynolds, Danny Everett and Steve Lewis, who started in the same race, showed excellent results - 44.20 and 44.26.

However, at the main start of the season - the Seoul Olympics - Reynolds was disappointed. In the final, with the result of 43.93, he took only the second place, passing ahead of Steve Lewis (43.87). Danny Everett finished third with a score of 44.09.

A few days later, Reynolds as part of the US team became the Olympic champion in the relay 4x400 meters.

1990-1992. Doping Scandal

In 1990, Reynolds was suspended for 2 years for doping. He appealed this decision in court, and the US Supreme Court ruled that the National Olympic Committee should allow Reynolds to participate in the qualifying competitions of the 1992 Olympics, as errors were identified in the testing procedure. Doping was detected in a urine sample labeled “H6,” while the Reynolds sample was labeled “H5.” The director of the laboratory, Jean-Pierre Lafarge, said in court that, despite this, the laboratory assistant told him that doping was found in the “H5” sample ^[1] .

The court decision came into conflict with the rules of the International Olympic Committee and the IAAF, which prohibit disqualified athletes from participating in competitions. The IAAF threatened to disqualify any athlete who would compete with Reynolds. The qualifiers were postponed for 4 days, during which the IAAF overturned its decision. Reynolds took part in the qualifying tournament in the 400m race, where he took 5th place and went to the U.S. Olympic team as a reserve participant in the 4x400m relay race. However, the IAAF, having tested the suspicious test, forbade Reynolds from participating in the 1992 Olympics.

In the same year, Reynolds won a defamation lawsuit against the IAAF, he was awarded compensation in the amount of $ 27.3 million. However, the IAAF stated that Ohio's laws do not apply to the organization and refused to comply with the decision ^[2] . The Court of Appeal of the Sixth Circuit dismissed the appeal on the basis of a violation of jurisdiction.

1996 year. Atlanta Olympics

Before the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Reynolds was again one of the favorites. At the qualifying competitions for the US Olympic team, he took second place after Michael Johnson and for the first time since 1988 he overcame the “magic” line of 44 seconds - 43.91. However, in the semifinals, he injured his hamstring and did not finish the race, and later could not participate in the relay.

Reynolds left big sport in 1999. Until April 2008, he worked as a speed trainer for the Ohio State University football team.

He founded the child care shelter named after him under the KIDS Foundation ( Butch Reynolds Care for Kids Foundation ).

Best results for years

All results are better than 45.20 in 400 m running ^[3] .

• en: List of doping cases in athletics

• The official website .
• Butch Reynolds .
• Butch Reynolds .