Three-time world champion Grant Holloway dominated a fiery 110m hurdles in 12.86 seconds at the American Olympic trials on Friday June 28 in Eugene. For the only final of the evening on the track, he signed the best world performance of the year, and above all the 4th best time in the history of the discipline.
His compatriot Devon Allen had run in 12 sec 84 in 2022, Holloway already in 12 sec 81 in this same stadium at Hayward field in the semi-final of the Olympic selections in 2021, and another American, Aries Merritt, had raced in 12 sec 80 in Brussels in 2012, a world record which could shake at the Paris Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11).
A perfect wind
A big favourite for the Games, Holloway knows that such a time at this time of year does not guarantee anything: at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 he was beaten by Jamaican Hansle Parchment. On Friday, the American hurdlers were carried by a perfect wind (2 m/s, exactly the legal limit for an approved time) and offered one of the densest races in the history of the discipline.
Freddie Crittenden took 2nd place in 12.93 seconds (his record) and Daniel Roberts 3rd (12.96, record), to make up the Olympic trio. Proof of the incredible American density in the hurdles, Cordell Tinch, 4th in the race, will not see the Games despite a time of 13.03 seconds, just like Ja’Qualon Scott (13.09) and Cameron Murray (13.15).
Lyles “shocked by the clock”
A little earlier, the sprint stars had rehearsed their ranges during the 200m semi-finals, which promise crazy times on Saturday during the finals if the weather continues to be ideal in Oregon.
Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas achieved the world’s best performance in the half lap in 21 sec 78 (1.4 m/s wind). “I didn’t know what to expect, seeing this kind of time while remaining in control is very good”she reacted to the microphone of NBC.
100m queen Sha’Carri Richardson showed the same impression of ease in crossing the line in 21.92 seconds (1.8 m/s), equalling her record which allowed her to win bronze in the discipline at the World Championships in Budapest last summer. “It shows my work with my team, to enjoy this moment. I am happy to have equaled my record, and I look forward to giving it my all tomorrow (Saturday)”she said.
In the men’s race, the triple world champion (100, 200 and 4×100 m) Noah Lyles was also impressive in 19 sec 60 while dropping back at the end of the race, for a time that was not approved however due to a wind that was a little too generous (2.5 m/s). “I felt super easy, I was shocked by the time”he said.
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Olympic vice-champion in the discipline Kenny Bednarek (19.96, 0.7 m/s) and double world medalist Erriyon Knighton (19.93, 0.3 m/s) easily passed the semi-finals, as did Christian Coleman (19.89, 2.5 m/s).
Despite the total lack of stakes (all 27 starters were selected for the semi-finals), very fast times were achieved in the 100m hurdles heats by Masai Russell (12.35, 0.2 m/s) and Alaysha Johnson (12.37, 0.2 m/s). The Olympic vice-champion of the 400m hurdles Rai Benjamin strolled in the semi-finals (47.97) before his final on Sunday.
