PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Grant Holloway is going for gold.
Fresh off a dominating performance at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, Holloway is currently in Monaco ahead of a Diamond League meet Friday.
It’s his final competition before the Paris Olympics, or as Holloway puts it, “the big dance.”
The Chesapeake, Virginia native attended Grassfield High School, before attending the University of Florida. That’s where he won eight NCAA titles and helped the Gators win three team titles.
Holloway is a three-time world champion in the 110 meter hurdles and came home with a silver medal in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.
At the recent U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Holloway left no doubt that he deserved a spot on Team USA.
“I just decided to also do a little bit of history, you know, so I was the first person to ever run three sub-13 performances in one meet, and that alone was remarkable,” Holloway told 10 On Your Side’s Marielena Balouris. “So it just kind of shows the type of fitness, not only myself, but my team has been making me get in and trying to stay there and having consistency on the big day, that’s the main thing.”
Holloway is now making sure his “why” is dialed in ahead of the Paris Olympics.
“This is really when you have to lean in on your training,” Holloway said. “All the hard work that you put in before you get on that line at Olympic Trials, before I get on the line in Monaco, or even before I get on the line here in Paris. You think about all the hard work, waking up at the early mornings, going through the treatment sessions, not going out with friends when everyone is having a good time. You think about all the stuff you sacrificed and you remember why.”
He’s clear on what he wants to bring home from Paris: gold.
“For me it’s like, remember that feeling you had last time,” Holloway said. “Obviously I was able to achieve a medal, but it’s not the color I wanted. I’ve been saying it on almost all my interviews, if you’re not training to be an Olympic gold medalist, then what the hell are you doing? I want to try to just stick by those words.”
As he prepares for Paris, Holloway is focused on staying consistent, staying healthy, and staying focused.
“I know my why and I know what I’m gunning for, and the main goal is Aug. 4, that’s when the journey starts,” he said. “I just want to make sure I’m prepared in all aspects and ready for that day.”
Holloway also told 10 on Your Side that he is looking forward to the full Olympic experience — having his parents and support system with him, attending the opening and closing ceremonies, having fans in the stands, and exploring the city — things that weren’t possible in Tokyo because of COVID-19.
The competitions for the 110m hurdles in Paris starts Aug. 4.
