Butch Reynolds
- Born
- Jun 8, 1964 (62 years old)
- Birthplace
- Akron, United States
- Events
- 400 m
- Height
- 1.93 m
- Weight
- 84 kg
Butch Reynolds, born June 8, 1964, in Akron, Ohio, is a retired American sprinter who competed in the 400-meter dash. His personal best of 43.29 seconds, set in 1988, held as the world record for over 11 years and still ranks him as the third fastest man of all time in the event.
Reynolds won the silver medal in the 400 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and a relay gold medal at the same Games. After a two-year ban from the IAAF that was ultimately overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court due to procedural flaws in the drug testing process, he returned to competition and became the 1993 World Indoor Champion. He won two World Championship silver medals in the 400 meters and was part of the United States 4x400-meter relay team that won world titles in 1987, 1993, and 1995. His relay team's time of 2:54.29 at the 1993 World Championships remains the world record.
Reynolds was elected into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2016.
As of Oct 29, 2026: 400 m 43.29 (#3 all-time), 2000 season best 46.50 (Jul 2, 2000, Glasgow (GBR)) · Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver · World Championships: 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze · World record (4 × 400 m) · 62 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Medals
| Competitions | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
| World Championships | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 400m | 46.50 | – | Jul 2, 2000 | Glasgow (GBR) |
| 1999 | 400m | 45.13 | – | Mar 27, 1999 | Gainesville, FL (USA) |
| 1998 | 400m | 44.89 | – | Jul 2, 1998 | Luzern (SUI) |
| 1997 | 400m | 44.08 | – | Jul 2, 1997 | Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne (SUI) |
| 1996 | 400m | 43.91 | – | Jun 19, 1996 | Atlanta, GA (USA) |
| 1995 | 400m | 44.22 | – | Aug 9, 1995 | IAAF World Championships |
| 1995 | 4x400m | 2:57.32 | – | Aug 13, 1995 | IAAF World Championships |
| 1994 | 400m | 45.18 | – | Jun 8, 1994 | Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA) |