After securing the gold medal in the 110 meters hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Grant Holloway has solidified his status as the dominant force in the event.
Despite the significant achievement, Holloway has made it clear that breaking the world record is not currently at the forefront of his ambitions. Instead, his primary focus is on continuing to build a legacy by amassing more gold medals.
The Olympic title was the only major accolade missing from Holloway’s illustrious career. His electrifying performance in Paris finally filled that void, placing him atop the podium and cementing his dominance in the sport.
A memorable moment during the Paris 2024 athletics competition was watching victorious athletes ring a large bell beside the Stade de France track.
Holloway, after his triumphant run in the men’s 110m hurdles, struck the bell five times to represent the five world championship gold medals—three outdoor and two indoor—that he has collected throughout his career.
With his Olympic gold now secured, the natural progression might seem to be an attempt at breaking the world record of 12.80 seconds, set by Aries Merritt of the United States in 2012. However, Holloway has expressed that his immediate priority lies elsewhere.
“Definitely turning the page in Paris, win. It did not matter what time we run or how, the main goal was just to get to the finish line faster than anybody else. The world record will come,” Holloway stated during a press conference at the Zurich Diamond League.
“Now is about piecing up races, working on what you are going to do next year, what you like, what you do not like, what works, what clicks, and then you will have plenty of shots at it,” he said.
Reflecting on his 2024 season, Holloway highlighted the importance of consistency across both indoor and outdoor events. “From the indoor season, have a stellar one there and then replicate it outdoors is remarkable and I would not change it for the world,” he noted.
Holloway also touched on the intense competition at the USATF Olympic trials, which he described as a grueling experience.
“For US trials, it was to make the team. The fastest competition happened at US trials with me running 12.86, Freddie Creighton running 12.92, and Daniel Roberts running out the field at 12.96. So you think if you did not run 12 that day, you got left at home,” he recounted.
He emphasized the depth of talent in US hurdling, pointing out that “we had seven people out of the top 10 in the world and we left four at home, so it shows you how crazy deep we are in US hurdling.”
Holloway also reflected on the versatility of great athletes across different events, drawing parallels to legends like Michael Jordan and Deion Sanders, who transitioned between sports. However, for Holloway, the focus remains on his own event and legacy.
“For me, I just want to keep building that legacy, and whenever there is a major championship, my goal is to win. I have done that in all but one race my whole career,” he stated.
As Holloway continues to dominate the 110 meters hurdles, his sights are firmly set on maintaining his position at the top, with the world record seen as a goal that will come naturally with time.
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