“Ultimate Killer for Me”: US Gold Hope in Paris Olympics Grant Holloway Reveals Weakness That Might Ruin His Track and Field Career

With just 61 days remaining before the Olympics in Paris, the spotlights are on American hurdler and sprinter Grant Holloway. Holloway, a three-time world champion in 110m hurdles, has the heavy expectations of the nation to bring the golden glory home. But in a recent open interview, he disclosed an unexpected flaw that he needs to get through and continue performing at his best.

The silver medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics talked about his continuous efforts to improve his diet in an interview that NBC Sports Director of Social Media Travis Miller posted on X. In response to a query concerning whether he is “Planning or moving to a diet?”, Holloway said, “A little bit of both.” Also, when questioned, “What’s the hardest thing to take out?” Holloway mentioned, “liquor.”

In a startling disclosure, Grant Holloway revealed his difficulties giving up drinking. The same interview saw him admit, “But yeah, liquor is, uh, ultimate killer for me.” This open admission struck a chord with a lot of people because it highlights the difficulties that professional athletes frequently encounter in keeping their discipline off the field.

Furthermore, he was asked, “What else is the guidance for this year?” Holloway stated, “Um. Just listening to people instead of just leaving it in my own hands” He also revealed that he was underweight in 2023, emphasizing the value of having faith in those around him: “This year, I’m like, right where I want to be. So just falling forward and trusting people in the circle.” This statement shows how important expert advice and proper nutrition are to his training program. With all that at his disposal, Holloway has kept his winning legacy alive in the newly started 2024 season as well.

Holloway made the world indoor mark in the 60-meter hurdles, achieved in 2024 at the USA Track & Field Indoor Champions with an official time of 7.27 seconds. He just ran a world-leading 13.03 seconds to win the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the Nike Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field despite facing tough competition from Hansle Parchment. He is the 2022 Belgrade and 2024 Glasgow World Indoor winner. He hadn’t dropped an indoor sprint hurdles competition since March 2014, when he was sixteen years old.

Grant Holloway recalls one crucial time in his career ahead Paris Olympics

The calendar year was 2014. In Chesapeake, Virginia, at Grassfield High School, teenager Grant Holloway was a sophomore. Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt were nevertheless battling it out, Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” was at the top of the charts, and TikTok was merely the beat of a timer. Back then, Holloway suffered a rare defeat in an indoor hurdles competition. That loss probably gave way to history. A decade following that, Holloway has won 76 races in a row in the indoor hurdles.

Holloway had claimed in an interview, “I’m a sore loser…and I know it.” The 26-year-old icon remembers that one crucial moment when it all came together and motivated him to keep improving. “The main goal is just to be better than last time. That’s the main reason why that streak is so dominant and so long.” Holloway describes the day of his loss in 2014 as one in which Isaiah Moore “busting him upside the head” went ahead to victory with a significant lead.

In the years that followed, Holloway’s incredible winning streak spanned five world championship titles, eight NCAA crowns, and an Olympic silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles in 2020. Interestingly, this startling record was an outcome of a decision he took during his collegiate days by refusing an alternate career option.

Grant Holloway could well have climbed up the stairs of football instead of becoming a hurdler. That could have arguably given him a more handsome pay package. Instead, Holloway opted for the University of Florida to pursue a career in track and field. History started building up from the very beginning. Holloway became the first man in college track to win three consecutive indoor and outdoor high hurdles titles. Years later, now Holloway declares, “That’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” Indeed, we can not agree more.

Holloway set the World record for 60-meter hurdles in 2021. He broke that record in February of this year, with a blazing pace of 7.27 seconds. Holloway has always raised his game every year, considering any drop in performance as a setback. In one more display of upping himself, Holloway recently stunned everyone with a wish.

On May 7 he posted on X, “I would like to be a part of the 4×1 in Paris.” No need to be shocked, though. Grant Holloway has his mark here as well. In five years, any relay team featuring Holloway has not lost a race, dating back to the 2019 SEC Championships. With this portfolio to his name, it remains to be seen how many endeavors Holloway takes up with his golden touch.