Chesapeake’s Grant Holloway takes gold at Paris Olympics

Brian Reese, Marielena Balouris, and Craig Loper

9 months ago

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — It’s redemption for Chesapeake native Grant Holloway.

The 6-foot-2 Grassfield High alum, who got silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, decisively won the gold medal in Thursday’s 110m men’s hurdles final in Paris with a time of 12.99. It was his first ever Olympic gold medal.

You can watch the race here:

Holloway just beat fellow American Daniel Roberts, who had a time of 13.09 for silver. Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadbell ran a 13:09 for bronze.

Holloway told WAVY’s Marielena Balouris after the race that moment felt unreal.

“Hopefully I can be that inspiration for somebody who’s watching in their living room,” Holloway said. “The main thing is Hampton Roads is so small, but we push out some dominant athletes. If I can be that inspiration for someone who’s watching, and I can be that spark, I’m happy.”

Holloway’s race came not long after fellow Virginia track star, Noah Lyles, took bronze in the men’s 200-meter final. Lyles later disclosed he was diagnosed with COVID two days ahead of the final.

Grant Holloway, of the United States, leads the field in the men’s 110-meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Grant Holloway, of the United States, crosses the finish line ahead of silver medalist Daniel Roberts, of the United States, right, and bronze medalist Rasheed Broadbell, of Jamaica, in the men’s 110 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Grant Holloway, left, of the United States, wins the men’s 110-meters hurdles final with Rasheed Broadbell, of Jamaica, third, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Grant Holloway, of the United States, crosses the finish line in the men’s 110-meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Grant Holloway, of the United States, reacts after winning the men’s 110-meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Grant Holloway, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men’s 110 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Grant Holloway, of the United States, celebrates after winning the men’s 110-meter hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Meanwhile another Chesapeake native, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson, is set to run just after 5 a.m. Friday morning in the men’s 4x400m relay. He’ll be the youngest American track athlete to ever compete at the Olympics.

Holloway’s win makes him the sixth person in Hampton Roads history to win an Olympic gold medal, joining Hampton’s Francena McCorory (women’s 4×400 relay in 2012), Norfolk’s Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker (boxing in 1984), Portsmouth’s LaTasha Colander (women’s 4×400 relay in 2000), Portsmouth’s LaShawn Merritt (400m in 2008) and Newport News’ Gabby Douglas (all-around individual gold in 2012, team gold in 2012 and 2016).

WAVY was also there as fans cheered Holloway on in a packed a Dirty Buffalo in Chesapeake. Watch Craig Loper’s coverage below and look for more coverage coming up.

Holloway gave Dirty Buffalo a shoutout during his interview with Marielena. He also thanked Grassfield High School in Chesapeake and his coaches along the way.