One needs to cover a vast distance from the level of being an ordinary track and field sports athlete to an Olympic champion. The athletes need to thwart every kind of challenge to stand on the podium. The grinding will not be over after weeks or months. Instead, it will continue for four years, the Olympic cycle. If the athletes remain on the line of development in that cycle, then a slim chance might come. Otherwise, the bitter taste of failure is always ready in the corner. Someone with two Olympic medals knows this journey very well. He had reasons to support the bet. Also, he had reasons to bid goodbye to the continuous grinding. 

In episode 4 of the ‘Beyond The Records’ podcast, Grant Holloway, Noah Lyles, and Rai Benjamin sat with Coby Cotton to discuss the challenges present in becoming the Olympic champion. In the conversation, Holloway argued on the track and field athletes’ effort to become the Olympians and the champions. With Paris Olympic gold in his cabinet, we can safely say that he has a clear-cut idea on the matter. Based on that, Holloway said, “You know we train for that moment. You literally say we train four years, seven days a week. Let’s just say a regular, like eight to five. For that one moment, and I tell everybody it’s stupid as  f***.” The comment might push the budding athletes into a state of confusion. 

Holloway, however, rightly knows about the slim gap between being successful and failing in the Olympics. The gifted hurdler has had the taste of a bitter pill in the Tokyo Olympics. Not just him, but the other athletes who appeared in the podcast know one or two things about the failed attempts in the Olympic final. In Tokyo, Noah Lyles appeared in the men’s 200m final. Four years ago, Noah couldn’t even clear the 100-meter cutoff time. Meanwhile, in their Olympic events, the athletes couldn’t claim the top podiums. They had to satisfy themselves with second or third ranks, despite going through the tough preparation in the Tokyo Olympics cycle. 

Yet, all of those athletes came back. Three years later, they proved their mettle in Paris. All of them tasted success while Noah and Rai claimed two medals each (Noah Lyles has one gold and one bronze, whereas Rai has two gold medals). So what made them stand again on the same stage that had once broken their hearts? The answer had both positive and negative impressions. The positive part? In the conversation, Holloway narrated his inner urge to topple the barricades and establish himself in a better position. 

In the conversation, the three-time world outdoor champion added, “I just I’ve always wanted to go to the next level but I never thought I could go to the next level. I was always just one of the ones I was just like all right. If I can just get in the mix I’m happy but now it’s like getting in the mix is a standard. Yeah winning becomes a standard.” So, the 27-year-old Chesapeake athlete had to keep himself in the line. But he had another challenge waiting for him while making his way to the Olympic title. The other athletes also faced the issue, and it was the lack of financial help. 

Yes, winning five world championship titles, one Olympic gold and silver, and setting multiple world record timings didn’t help Grant Holloway much in amassing numbers in dimes. He now sees no point in investing four years just to appear in the Olympics. “Training four years for one moment and I don’t know if you’re gonna get that moment back? Stupid as f***. I hate it,” he said. He had Noah’s support in his comment. The reigning 100m champion said in the conversation, “Real reason is stupid is because we’re not getting paid enough.” The issue has been active in the realm for quite a time. Also, the lack of proper recognition is working negatively in track and field sports. Grant Holloway has had the experience. 

The track and field champion has seen the rough days closely 

Two incidents from two different track and field sports events might present a clear view of the situation. In March last year, Grant Holloway claimed the 60m hurdles title in the World Athletics Indoor Championship in Glasgow. His timing, 7.29 seconds, set the record in the event. Well, it wasn’t the first time he set a record in the event. Rather, he has no defeat in the event in the decade. Still, Holloway found discrimination. He felt a lack of recognition despite being at the top of the food chain for so long. 

In February, Grant came to the top of the 60m indoor event at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, defeating Trey Cunningham. He took a blistering 7.35 seconds to win the event, and it was the just season-opener for him. But there was no change in the scene after the event. Grant meanwhile, noticed the issue. He even had to post on X, “Someone find my race. Right now. World f****** record baby!” Michael Johnson came forward and shared his quote on it, “Athlete breaks WR, promptly gets on Twitter pleading for someone to find it. Because it was not on any mainstream TV or streaming. W-T-F?” But did the situation change for the hurdler? You can explore the answer to his decision to leave Diamond League in September last year. 

After appearing in multiple Diamond League contests, the track and field champion bowed out from the final event in Brussels without competing. Initially, he didn’t share any reason behind it. But the track and field speculated that it had something to do with the participation terms he was about to deal with. It seems his stature of being the Olympian didn’t help, and he had to settle for something that he felt was too little to justify his entry. Later, Diamond League brought a change to the entire list. Grant Holloway, however, received his lesson from the situation. Those lessons probably came out as his words in the podcast.