Former Florida Gator Grant Holloway is heading back to the Olympics

Even when you are as talented as former Florida Gator Grant Holloway, there is still an unknown heading into each race of the 110 meter hurdles. One false step can lead to crashing over the hurdle and ruin the hopes and dreams of the individual running the race.

As it played out, Holloway was able to keep the drama to a minimum amount as the eight time NCAA national champion is heading to Paris this summer.

Florida Gators: One Hurdle At A Time

Holloway came into the 2024 Olympic Trials as the defending Trials champion from 2021. He was the heavy favorite to win the gold in Tokyo in 2021, but stumbled in the finals and had to hang on to the silver.

Based on his performance from Friday night, the gold will be Holloway's once again to lose in Paris as he threw down a time of 12.86 seconds, just .05 off his personal best and .06 off the world record.

Despite running the fastest anyone in the world has run in 2024, Holloway was followed close behind by Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts. It is the first time in history a 110 meter hurdle race has had three men go under 13 seconds in the same race.

Holloway was a three-star wide receiver coming out of high school and had an offer from Georgia before opting to focus on track with Florida. He was a Gator from 2017 to 2019 and was also a prolific long jumper during his time with Florida. Since turning pro he has focused solely on the hurdles.

Holloway is still coached by Florida head coach Mike Holloway, though the two are not related.

The 110 meter hurdles will be a three round affair in Paris, with the first round taking place on August 4 and the finals taking place on August 8.