http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/athletics/news/2000/11/23/reynolds_retires_
ap/index.html
AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Sprinter Butch Reynolds, whose world record at 400
meters stood for 11 years, is quitting international competition.
Reynolds, 36, announced his retirement Thursday at a charity run in his
hometown. His 400 record of 43.18 seconds was broken by Michael Johnson at
the 1999 World Championships
"You got to go where they love you, like in Cheers," said Reynolds, the
former Ohio State star who anchored the U.S. 1,600 relay team to gold at the
1988 Seoul Olympics and finished second in the 400 there.
Reynolds was suspended in 1990 by the International Amateur Athletic
Federation, which said he tested positive for the steroid nandrolone after a
1988 meet in Monte Carlo.
Reynolds denied the charge but still wound up serving a two-year suspension
as he fought the IAAF in court. He won a $27.3 million judgment, but the
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the award in May 1994, saying the
case involved events in Europe.
Reynolds got a court order that allowed him to compete in the 1992 Olympic
trials, but he finished fifth in the qualifying. He did qualify for the
1,600-meter relay, but did not compete.
He also was a member of the U.S. team in the 1996 Olympics. He gave up his
job as assistant coach at Ohio State to train for the Sydney Olympics in
September, but did not make the team.
