Close to US Track and Field Olympic Trials, USADA Troubles Arise For World’s Fastest Hurdler Grant Holloway

Just because you’re an Olympic medalist hurdler, doesn’t mean life will continue to throw challenges at you one after the other. And yet, for Grant Holloway, that’s exactly what seems to be the problem. His boastful statement after winning the Prefontaine Classic might not have sat well with everybody, but life had other forms of difficulties in store for the three-time world outdoor champ.

Despite widespread and vehement efforts, doping continues to be a major problem in track and field, even today. With the Paris Olympics’ shadow growing larger with every passing day, the USATF is also determined to keep itself distanced from such reputation-smearing incidents. With that in mind, the USA’s anti-doping agency has created an app to help athletes update their details regularly so that the apex body can clear them for Paris with little hassle. But Holloway seems to have hit a snag.

In his recent social media post on X, “The Flamingo” urged the USADA to help him navigate through the digital jungle that is their new app. “Please help.” rings the 60m hurdle world record holder’s heartfelt plea. “Dear @usantidoping – I’m trying to update my whereabouts and the app keeps crashing,” informs Grant in his post. With the track and field Olympic Team Trials just a week away, Holloway will need to submit all his details accurately to compete for a spot in Team USA.

Thankfully, the USADA wasn’t late to respond and lend its knowledge and expertise to help the 26-year-old do the needful. “We will reach out today and you can contact us any time by phone,” reads the comment by the country’s anti-doping apex body in the comment section of Grant’s post, which seems to have assured the hurdler that help is on its way and he can cut down on the panicking for now.

While the famous Flamingo found himself on the better side of things with the USADA coming up to help the track star get his whereabouts verified, not all of his international or domestic peers have been so lucky as far as doping is concerned.

Grant Holloway is right to keep his doping records straight

The existence of such an app was a distant dream even at the last Olympics, and the finer details about an athlete’s condition weren’t documented as well as today. Sha’Carri Richardson had to opt out of the 2020 Olympics because of marijuana traces found in her blood, a decision that kept her away from her quest for the maiden gold medal on the biggest stage. On the other hand, despite Carl Lewis’ iconic status in the track and field community, Michael Johnson continues to hold a skeptical view of his colleague despite both having retired decades ago.

On the other hand, the Athletics Integrity Unit handed a four-year ban to Surinam’s Issam Asinga after traces of GW1516 were found in his urine sample in May this year. With doping still being the biggest concern among athletes and governing bodies alike, Holloway’s anxiety to make sobriety his priority isn’t entirely misplaced.

As the Olympic Trials inch closer, what do you speculate are the chances of Hollow to make it to his second Olympic Games? Tell us your thoughts on his chances to or in Paris in the comments!