False Positive
The 7th Annual Awards
- Best Life or Legacy Tribute
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
False Positive chronicles the saga of 400-meter record holder Butch Reynolds and his controversial suspension for drug use. It is a thorough investigative look at the emotional and athletic toll Reynolds suffered from what he has long claimed was a false accusation, one that adversely impacted every part of his life.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
This project successfully engaged audiences who either barely remembered or had no prior knowledge of Reynolds’s saga. By appealing to viewers well-versed in the controversy and enlightening those who came into the story fresh, it managed to thread the needle of universal storytelling that has become the staple of 30 for 30.
And in juggling both a groundbreaking investigation with a cinematic story presentation, it helps set the template for future projects in this vein. It points the way forward for stories that manage to both educate and entertain, firing us up with the righteous need for the truth and taking us along for a memorable ride at the same time. It is a documentary that captures resilience, grace, and courage in its highest forms.
Objective
When the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) falsely accused Butch Reynolds of using performance-enhancing drugs, it cost him the 1992 Olympic Games – and over time, much more than that. The aim of this film was to tell Reynolds’s story, utilizing his first-person perspective and conducting detailed investigative research into the circumstances surrounding his test result and ensuing attempts to clear his name.
Beyond a mere athletic investigation, it is also a deeper look at how being wrongly accused can damage so many aspects of a person’s life. It aims to be a chronicle of truth and reconciliation, of miscarriages of justice, and how power and greed can corrupt the purity of sport at the highest levels. Above all, it strives to be a story about how one man picked up the pieces of his life – and how we all might be inspired by what he has endured.
Strategy & Execution
The heart of the film is Reynolds himself. His firsthand testimony, decades after the test that derailed his career, is the riveting foundation upon which the story is built. Director Ismail Al-Amin connects with Reynolds in a way that allows the longtime sprinter to truly open up, revealing surprising emotion and details that make him a compelling character far beyond the track. He gives Reynolds the space to become comfortable with speaking his truth, and the result is fascinating and tragic in equal doses.
The film also utilizes a strong range of sources and archival material, making a case for the truth without becoming a polemic. It is thoughtful journalism, with a clear point of view but always objective and well-reasoned. In keeping its main character’s journey at the forefront, it is extraordinarily convincing in a consistently assured manner.
Organizations
- ESPN Films
- Hock Films
Featured
- Butch Reynolds
Credits
Ismail Al-Amin
Directed & Produced By
ESPN Films
Kevin Barth
Editor
ESPN Films
Jonathan Hock
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Bradford Young
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Heather Anderson
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Marsha Cooke
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Brian Lockhart
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Burke Magnus
Executive Producer
ESPN Films
Philip Aromando
Produced By
ESPN Films
Marquis Daisy
Produced By
ESPN Films
Alastair Christopher
Cinematography By
ESPN Films
Adam Neuhaus
Producer
ESPN Films
Carolyn Hepburn
Producer
ESPN Films
Catherine Sankey
Line Producer
ESPN Films
Trevor Gill
Associate Producer
ESPN Films
Gus Navarro
Associate Producer
ESPN Films
Isabella Seman
Associate Producer
ESPN Films
Diamante McKelvie
Production Assistant
ESPN Films
Anthony Salas
Production Assistant
ESPN Films
Jeff Arias
Post Production Editor
ESPN Films
Shawn Howard
Post Production Editor
ESPN Films
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Join us for the 7th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 24, 2025 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
