Grant Holloway and Daniel Roberts achieved a monumental goal by securing gold and silver in the Paris 110-meter hurdles final. This victory marks the culmination of a five-year pursuit to restore the United States’ proud tradition in hurdling. The two athletes, once rivals in the SEC during their college years, envisioned this moment long ago, and their 1-2 finish is the first for U.S. high hurdlers since Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson in 2012.
Historically, American hurdlers have dominated the Olympic stage, claiming both gold and silver in 14 out of 22 Olympic Games before Paris. In some instances, such as the 2000, 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960 Games, U.S. athletes even swept the podium. This rich legacy dates back to 1896 when Thomas Curtis of the United States won the first modern Olympic 110-meter hurdles race.
Holloway and Roberts have been eyeing this moment since 2019 when they competed against each other at the NCAA Championships. Holloway, representing Florida, set a Collegiate Record of 12.98 seconds, with Roberts, running for Kentucky, finishing close behind at 13.00 seconds, equaling the previous record set by Renaldo Nehemiah in 1979.
Reflecting on their victory in Paris, Roberts recalled how they discussed the U.S. struggles in major championships during their junior year. Now, standing atop the podium together, they’ve brought back American dominance in hurdling. Although neither athlete ran their fastest time of the year in the final, the goal was clear: winning. Despite a slow start and leg cramps over the last two hurdles, Holloway emerged victorious, fulfilling his ambition of completing his title collection with an Olympic gold medal.
Holloway expressed his relief and excitement after the race, noting that he’s now focused on maintaining his rhythm and potentially breaking records. Meanwhile, Roberts, who finished with a silver medal, acknowledged that this was his “worst race of the year” but remains optimistic about his future, especially after overcoming knee surgeries and adjusting to new coaching. Both athletes, who will turn 30 by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, view the upcoming Games as another milestone in their careers, aiming to continue their success and solidify their legacy in hurdling.
