​WAKR’s Ray Horner shared a light moment with Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder Butch Reynolds at the Akron Roundtable held at Quaker Station in Akron, Ohio, on July 16, 2026. The gathering was covered by Mike Cardew of the Akron Beacon Journal. During the event, Reynolds spoke about his ongoing effort to build a legacy defined by constructive contributions rather than scandal.
Reynolds, an Akron native and graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School who rose to prominence in track and field, faced a defining struggle in 1990 when he was falsely accused of steroid use by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The accusation stemmed from a drug test mix-up with another athlete. Since then, Reynolds has worked to reshape the narrative surrounding him by giving back to the community and pursuing positive initiatives. In 1996, he founded the Butch Reynolds Care For Kids Foundation, an organization aimed at educating and training young people who are interested in track and field. After retiring from competition in 1999, Reynolds served for a decade as a speed coach for the Ohio State University football team.
“I’ve been giving back, working through my foundation, working through my training, putting people in school, putting people in college—giving them hope, giving them a sense of pride, giving them a sense of accomplishment,” Reynolds shared at the Akron Roundtable. WAKR’s Ray Horner was seen sharing a laugh with the Olympic gold medalist as they charted the conversation at Quaker Station.
The IAAF initially suspended Reynolds, but he fought the ruling vigorously. He has reflected on the complexity of his reputation, noting that there was a period when he wished he could outrun the stigma attached to his name as an athlete. He explained that while he wrestled with the legacy of the accusation, the identity of being an athlete remains integral to his ability to transform lives.
Reynolds’ journey took another significant turn in 1992 when the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged flaws in the IAAF’s testing procedures. The court ruled him eligible to compete in the 1992 Olympic Trials, where he qualified for the Olympic relay team. Despite this, the IAAF initially did not permit him to participate in the Games. The legal battles continued for years, culminating in Reynolds being awarded $27.3 million in damages by a federal court in Ohio; however, the IAAF did not recognize the verdict, and the decision was eventually overturned on appeal.
In addition to his athletic and advocacy work, Reynolds has connected with media projects that amplify his story of resilience. Documentary filmmaker Ismail Al-Amin, a fellow Akron native, collaborated with Reynolds on a project that further publicized his experiences. Al-Amin made his directorial debut with the ESPN “30 for 30” documentary titled “False Positive,” which premiered on June 11. Al-Amin joined Reynolds at the Akron Roundtable for the event, helping to bring greater visibility to Reynolds’ journey and the broader themes of endurance, fairness, and redemption.
Reynolds emphasized the core message guiding his post-competition life: the importance of using one’s platform to uplift others. He believes that his work through his foundation, his involvement in training, and his efforts to help youths pursue higher education are the most meaningful ways to define his legacy. The Akron Roundtable audience, including attendees like Ismail Al-Amin, left with a portrait of a man who has transformed personal hardship into a lasting commitment to community service and youth development. The event underscored Reynolds’ conviction that being an athlete is not only about competition but also about the positive impact one can have on the lives of others.