Dennis Mitchell

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Medal record
Medal record
Dennis Mitchell
Men’s Athletics
Competitor for  United States
Olympic Games
Gold	1992 Barcelona	4x100 m relay
Silver	1996 Atlanta	4x100 m relay
Bronze	1992 Barcelona	100 metres
World Championships
Gold	1991 Tokyo	4x100 m relay
Gold	1993 Stuttgart	4x100 m relay
Bronze	1991 Tokyo	100 m
Bronze	1993 Stuttgart	100 m

Dennis Allen Mitchell (born February 20, 1966) is a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Born in Havelock, North Carolina, Mitchell placed fourth in 100 m at the 1988 Summer Olympics and missed a probable gold medal in 4x100 m relay race, because the American team was disqualified in the heats, after the pass between Calvin Smith and Lee McNeill was made out of the zone.

In 1989, Mitchell won the NCAA championships in 200 m. In 1991, just a month before the World Championships, Mitchell ran his first world record in 4x100 m relay of 37.67 at Zürich. At the World Championships, Mitchell was again a member of American 4x100 m relay team, which set a new world record of 37.50 in the final. In addition to that, Mitchell won a bronze medal in 100 m.

In 1992, Mitchell won his first US National Championships title in 100 m (he repeated this victory in 1994 and 1996). At the Barcelona Olympics, Mitchell ran his third world record in 4x100 m relay of 37.40 and won again a bronze medal in the 100m race.

At the 1993 World Championships, Mitchell won his third bronze at the international championships in individual 100 m and his third gold in relay event with a world record, as this time the American team equalled their own world record of 37.40.

Mitchell won a gold medal in 100 m at the 1994 Goodwill Games, but injured himself in the heats of 100 m at the 1995 World Championships. At the 1996 Summer Olympics, Mitchell was fourth in 100 m and won a silver medal as a member of American 4x100 m relay team.

[edit] Doping History

In 1998, Mitchell was banned by IAAF for two years after a test showed high levels of testosterone. His defense of "five bottles of beer and sex with his wife at least four times" was accepted by the USA Track and Field but not by the IAAF.[1] Dennis Mitchell made his final international appearance at the 2001 World Championships, where he finished first in the 4x100 m relay but was subsequently disqualified because of BALCO scandal involvement by a teammate.

On May 1, 2008, it was announced that the U.S. government, in its trial against Trevor Graham, would have Mr. Mitchell, as well as Antonio Pettigrew as witnesses, with Mitchell to testify that Graham injected him with human growth hormone.^[1]

[edit] References