Cinema Columbus Film Festival

False Positive

The untold story of the fastest man in the world, Butch Reynolds, whose legendary career was derailed by a faulty drug test in one of the greatest injustices in American sports history.

Monte Carlo, 1990. The world record holder in the 400-meters, Butch Reynolds, takes a routine drug test that comes back positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone. When Butch challenges the results, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) publicly admits their lab technician mixed up Reynold’s urine specimen with another athlete’s, leading to a “false positive.” In an outrageous about-turn that would lead to one of the greatest injustices in American sports, the IAAF refuses to administer another test, claiming the lab “corrected their mistake.” Instead, they label Reynolds a “dirty athlete,” banning him from competition during the most vital years of his career.

Following the film screening, stick around for a Q&A with director Ismail Al-Amin & Butch Reynolds (Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee, ’95).

Director: Ismail Al-Amin

Runtime: 1 hr 30 min

Genre: Documentary

Country: United States

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