In the 1980s the sport of track and field was jolted by a miraculous phenomenon; an
athlete who was both fast and could go the distance. That athlete was Harry Lee
Reynolds, fondly known as Butch Reynolds. Catapulting out of Akron, Ohio, Reynolds smashed world record after world record, medaling repeatedly in the Olympics and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletic Championships. There were few faster than this 400-meter sprinter. He seemed unstoppable until
career-threatening circumstances slowed the then 26-year-old’s feet from burning the
pavement. Hit with testing positive for steroids, Reynolds’ rapid climb to success came tumbling down. Sadly, it was this false positive that was the beginning of the end of his career. Or so it seemed. It is now with the worldwide release of “False Positive,” a documentary depicting Reynolds’ unjust mistreatment from the IAAF that debuted at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival where the record is finally set straight.
How it all started
As an 18-year-old in junior college, ironically, Butch Reynolds initially detested running
because it was an individual sport and unlike team sports, there was no one else to help
carry the load. “It's just you and the clock,” said Reynolds, “and when you’re last, you’re
dead last.” But because he couldn’t stand being dead last, he rose to the challenge to
not be and put in the time and effort to train to be his best. That best took Reynolds to
The Ohio State University where legends like Jesse Owens got their start. With deep
admiration and in a heartfelt tone, Reynolds shared, “Jesse was my idol on and off the
track.”
Reynolds was referring to Jesse’s upright character that warmed the hearts of fans in addition to his unparalleled speed. It is this value of high morals and excellence that made Reynolds flourish in the face of insurmountable adversity.
The film
In “False Positive,” an ESPN’s Films 30 for 30 documentary, directed by Ismail Al-Amin,
Reynolds rise to fame globe-trots race tracks around the world. This multicultural,
upscale exposure to a young kid from Akron surpassed his low-income, hard-working
family’s wildest dreams. Repeatedly Reynolds dusted the competition, even
accomplishing a rarity of negative splits when a runner’s second half of the race is faster
than the first. Endorsements from major organizations such as Nike rolled in, features in
sports magazines followed, and the sky seemed to be the limit. But in 1990 when a test
for steroids came back positive the overwhelming praise from the media and crowds
simmered to skepticism, judgment, and accusations. Reynolds, for the first time in his
career and life, had to prove his innocence.
A fight for justice
“Clear my name,” were the words his dying grandfather left him with, and it would be
this commission that would spur Reynolds on to do exactly that. Banned for two years
from participating in the Olympics by the IAAF, Reynolds engaged in a nasty legal battle
opposing the elite athletics organization. Finally, after thoroughly investigating the
procedures, his lawyers proved that the test for performance-enhancement drugs he
had taken was erroneous and in 1992 the Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds’ favor,
awarding him $27.3 million. Sadly, the awarded monies were never paid and the sting of
the false positive was never removed. Additionally, the Nike sponsorships were
revoked, and the once beloved sprinter became a source of disdain.
Before the ruling came in, the IAAF issued a ban prohibiting Reynolds from participating in the 1992 Olympics, going so far as to threaten to suspend any athlete who raced against him. Attempting to bring unity within the sport, Reynolds rallied the troops in a heartfelt speech pleading to his peers to stand by him in his hour of need. He asked for a boycott of the Olympics not because he felt that his plight was more important than theirs, but because he felt his plight was a preview of what could actually happen to them.
“This was about due process and athletes’ rights,” said a passionate Reynolds 34 years later. “If this could happen to me it could happen to them too.”
Unfortunately, many of Reynolds’ competitors did not agree with his perspective. To them, he was asking them to give up their dreams and everything they had worked to achieve.
“Sometimes success is lonely,” Reynolds shared in “False Positive.” This loneliness was
magnified as he stood in a solitary fight for justice against a system determined to bury
his career nearby peers willing to stand by and watch.
A mental decline
In “False Positive” Reynolds is honest about the unraveling of his mental health during
this devastating time. He fell into a dark depression after receiving undeserved public
embarrassment, losing his credibility, friends, and an outlet for his passion for
competitive running, in addition to financial losses and his mother losing the home he
had purchased for her. All these setbacks led to suicidal ideation. He didn’t sleep for a
whole month because of stress and admitted to succumbing to three months of
bitterness. Additionally, before the official ruling from the Supreme Court, he was offered
a bribe of $250,000 to drop the suit. Reynolds declined, instead, choosing to endure the
21-month arduous process to clear his name.
The comeback
Reynolds’ ability to push himself when beyond tired for the reward of the win equipped
him for his personal trials. After the Supreme Court ruling in his favor, he returned to the
track to become the 1993 World Indoor Champion, winning two 400-meter silver medals in the World Championships in addition to medaling in several team relay races. When
describing his shift in perspective that dug him out of depression and bitterness, he
said, “I didn’t like what someone else made me become. I had to come out of survivor
mode and move into acceptance mode.” Eventually, Reynolds went to college to get his
degree, developed, and taught an afterschool program in Akron, Ohio, got married, had
children, and carved out a new life for himself. He regained his confidence as he rebuilt
his life which had always been founded on his faith. It was the faith of his mother and
family that kept him, and it was through this horrific experience of fighting for justice that
his faith shined as gold.
But even with the Supreme Court exoneration, the IAAF (now known as World Athletics)
continued its suspension. Even after he was inducted into the US Track & Field Hall of
Fame in 2016 the IAAF refused to accept the Supreme Court ruling in Reynolds’ favor,
stating that it was invalid. For over three decades they have stood by that statement.
Looking back
When commenting on the documentary, Reynolds shared, “It wasn’t easy looking back,
but I knew the story had to be told and I was the one to do it.” “Not easy” is an
understatement. But given Reynolds’ ability to defy all odds, it's not surprising he ran his
personal race at a pace even better than the previous one. His partnership with Ismail
Al-Amin in creating “False Positive,” accomplished another negative split and it is in this
half of his life where even greater character is demonstrated. His face is set, his
demeanor is focused, and his eye is on the prize. In reference to IAAF, Reynolds
declared with the certainty of an Olympic gold medalist, “With every breath in my body
they will exonerate me.”
But even with the heavy weight of the call, and the delayed justice, Reynold's smile is
easy. His eye holds a twinkle when asked what words of wisdom he would give to his
younger self, now knowing the details of the journey. Without hesitancy, he cracks a
smile, “Don’t run track!” and follows the statement with a good hard chuckle.
Butch Reynolds, Alysha L. Ellis (Founder of Mas LaRae) Nicole D. Miller (Author & Writer), and Isma'il Al-Amin (Director)
Watch Official Trailer
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