“We're putting people on relays who haven't run 400 since high school” - Grant Holloway takes a dig at Noah Lyles amid ongoing U.S. relay controversy

Grant Holloway has become the latest American track star to join the conversation about Team USA's relay controversy. The drama began when 100m and 200m World Champion Noah Lyles was allowed to run the 4x400m finals at the World Indoor Championships, and doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.

Back in 2023, Lyles had announced that he intends to go for four golds at the Paris Olympics, the 100m, 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m, the last of which is an event he hasn't competed in since high school.

After this announcement, Lyles was subbed in for Trevor Bassit in the 4x400m finals at the Glasgow World Indoor Championships, a decision that many, including World Champion Fred Kerley, felt was favoritism from the USATF. The team ultimately finished with silver, with Lyles clocking the fastest third leg at 45.68.

Now, Grant Holloway has joined the conversation to give his two cents about the whole debacle, telling NBC days after announcing his intention to run the 4x100m in Paris,

“Everybody knows that my Twitter (X) is not a safe place. I’m not pointing fingers, but we're putting people on relays who haven't run 400 since high school. And the people want to see, you know, other things. So, let’s give the people what the people want.”

For Holloway, a specialist of the hurdles, making it to the 4x100m team will prove challenging. America at the moment is the global hub of sprinting, boasting stars like Lyles, Kerley, Christian Coleman, Erriyon Knighton, and Courtney Lindsey to name some.

However, that doesn't mean Holloway can be counted out. The American World Champion hasn’t lost a single 4x100m relay since 2019. Additionally, earlier this year at the Florida Relays, a team featuring Holloway, Knighton, PJ Austin, and Joseph Fanbullah, clocked a world lead of 37.67, making it to the top 10 times ever registered in the event.

Talking of his relay ambitions for the Games, Grant Holloway said,

“I run great relays every year. I just want to be able to showcase it. I’ll just wait for Team USA to give me that call, even if it's for a [preliminary round], just to prove myself.”

“I tell everybody that my goal is to be the best fifth man in track and field history. Obviously, I don't run the 100. I don't run the 200. I don't run the 400. But you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be prepared for whatever moment comes my way.”

Grant Holloway on his dominance in the hurdles

Over the past decade, Grant Holloway has proven to be one of the most dominant forces in the world of track and field. The American was an incredibly versatile athlete in his collegiate career, participating in the hurdles, relays, and long jump.

However, the 26-year-old has since zoned in on the hurdles, and he's scripted his name in history as one of the best to ever do it. It's been over a decade since Holloway has been beaten in the 60m hurdles.

In that decade, he's also stormed to three World Championships, two World Indoor Championships, a Diamond League trophy, and a world record. Speaking on his dominance, he credits his winning streaks to the fact that he's a sore loser.

“I’m a sore loser. And I know it. I’m just continuing to elevate my game and know 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.”

The only thing missing from Grant Holloway’s resume so far is the elusive Olympic gold, which the American is the favorite to win this summer.