“It’s just like you have your nerves, your family’s here, your friends are here, everyone’s watching. It’s on home soil,” said Grant Holloway as he reflected on the intense atmosphere of the USA Track and Field Trials. The reigning Olympic silver medalist and world champion in the 110m hurdles was the first to cross the finish line in the 110m hurdles race and the only athlete to break the 13-second mark that day. Now, he is gearing up for the finals at Hayward Field.

Holloway had a breakout year in 2019 at the Worlds, followed by consecutive victories in 2022-23. His next destination is naturally the Olympics. It looks like he is well on his way to making it. Athletes like Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway emphasize that the trials are where the real pressure lies. These events test their limits and resilience.

Olympic Trials: The ultimate test of nerves and skill for top athletes

In a recent interview after the 110m trials win, Grant Holloway sat down with Rai Benjamin and Noah Lyles to discuss what’s changed for him since the 2021 Olympics. He explained how winning the trials race is more nerve-wracking than the Olympics, “Just the mental games that go on here and just being out here in this atmosphere, it is ten times harder here than it is when you actually get to the big stage.” Holloway earned a time of 12.92 in round one of the heats. In fact, 12.92 is a world lead on the event this season. 

Holloway acknowledged that despite others claiming it’s easier, he and his peers find the trials to be the hardest part. The mental strain of competing on home soil, where everyone is watching, adds to the pressure. However, Holloway has a strategy to manage this. He mentioned that his recent practices have been excellent, and his goal was to translate that practice performance onto the track. “Coach Mike Holloway and I, we’ve been just hammering, hammering, hammering. And some of that translated today,” he explained. He is confident a brief two-day break will enhance his performance in the upcoming semi-final. Each day at the trials is a fresh start. “Today is today. After that, everything’s obsolete,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of focusing on the present and giving his best effort. 

Rai Benjamin is also feeling the pressure of the trials as only a fraction of a second prevented him from winning gold in the 400 mH at the Tokyo Olympics. So is Lyles, who won the bronze in the 200m dash which left Lyles feeling underwhelmed. This year he finished the 100m dash at the trials semis with a first place time of 9.83s, tying with his personal best. He has also won the 200m race. 5x World Champion Grant Holloway beat Jamal Britt who had a time of 13.07 and Trey Cunningham with a time of 13.12. As the trials continue, Holloway, Lyles, Benjamin, and others are focused on securing their spots for the Paris Olympics.

Track and field stars prepare for their best olympic season yet

During the interview Noah Lyles also detailed how it’s his mental preparation and health that’s the biggest factor behind his accelerated success this time as compared to the Tokyo trials. He said, “I think what I appreciate the most, is everytime I look at the guy who went out there it’s completely different from the guy that was out here in 2021.” Coming off the antidepressants has been a life changer for Lyles, “I got light, I got hope, I got joy, I got excitement.”

Noah Lyles told Men’s Health last December that his workouts differ throughout the year. In-season, he focuses on starts and acceleration. As well as feeling comfortable at top-end speed. Whereas off-season, he does foundational leg work: the glute/ham machine, back and front squats, leg presses, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. This year he is determined to not repeat any past mistakes. Even Grant Holloway is eager for the same. He previously spoke to NBC about his disappointing second-place finish to Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment in Tokyo.

Reflecting on his 2021 performance, Holloway said it’s no secret what happened, and his job now is to continue working hard. “If you’re not training to be an Olympic gold medallist, then what the hell are you doing?” he added. Holloway is focused on building his strength and stamina for the upcoming races. Additionally, Rai Benjamin is preparing to come back stronger for Paris. He has started training with Olympic gold medalists Joanna Hayes, Kendall Ellis, and Quincy Watts. Additionally, he is training with his 400-meter relay teammate Michael Norman.