Butch Reynolds is a former elite 400‐meter runner whose achievements on the track have left an enduring mark on the sport. He represented the United States at the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games—winning a silver medal in the 400 meters and a gold medal in the 4×400‑meter relay in 1988. At the World Championships, Reynolds helped secure three gold medals in the 4×400‑meter relay (1987, 1993, and 1995) while also earning individual medals—a bronze in 1987, silver medals in 1993 and 1995, and a gold in the 400 at the 1993 World Indoor Championships.
In August 1988, Reynolds set a world record in the 400 meters with a time of 43.29 seconds, a record that stood for more than 11 years and surpassed Lee Evans’ mark from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. In 1990, however, he faced suspension by the IAAF over allegations of drug use. Reynolds engaged in a lengthy legal battle—including a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately declared him eligible for the 1992 Olympic Trials. Although he made the relay team for the 1992 Games, the IAAF barred him from competing, and a later libel suit he won in U.S. courts was eventually overturned on appeal.
A graduate of Ohio State University, Reynolds set a school and meet record of 44.10 seconds in the 400 meters at the Jesse Owens Invitational. He also contributed his expertise as a trainer and speed coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team during the 2005–2006 seasons under Head Coach Jim Tressel, helping the team advance to the National Championship game.
Today, Reynolds remains a dynamic force in the athletic community. He passionately advocates for fair treatment of athletes, mentors competitors to reach their peak performance, and leads his foundation, Butch Reynolds Care for Kids, which is devoted to empowering youth. All the while, he continues his determined battle to vindicate his name from the tainted testing allegations.
