Justin Gatlin on the attribute about hurdler Grant Holloway's running that could shock Noah Lyles and Co in flat sprints

, the reigning Olympic and three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, has long established himself as a dominant force in his specialty.

But according to American sprint legend and hisco-host Rodney Green, Holloway’s talents should extend far beyond the hurdles. The duo believes Holloway’s explosive start and unmatched acceleration could make him a formidable competitor in flat sprints—and potentially solve Team USA’s relay woes.

Holloway is no ordinary hurdler. His personal best of 12.81 seconds in the 110 meters hurdles makes him the second-fastest man in history, while his world indoor record of 7.27 seconds in the 60 meters hurdles underscores his dominance. 

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Yet, his versatility was already evident during his collegiate career at the University of Florida. In addition to excelling in hurdles, Holloway competed in flat sprints, relays, and even the long jump, helping Florida clinch three NCAA Championships during his tenure.

As of early 2024, Holloway had gone an entire decade without losing an indoor sprint hurdles race—a streak dating back to when he was just 16 years old. Such consistent excellence begs the question: how would he fare if he fully embraced flat sprints?

Rodney Green believes Holloway’s start is among the best in the world, even rivaling that of 60-meter specialist Christian Coleman.

“People talk about Coleman’s start, but I think Grant Holloway’s has to be studied a little bit more,” Green remarked.

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Highlighting Holloway’s explosive acceleration during the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Green added, “When you see him start against Noah [Lyles], he was separating from him like it was nobody’s business. I think he has a personal best of 6.5, and that was back in college.”

Green suggested that Holloway’s incredible start and acceleration could make him a force in flat sprints, particularly in the 60 meters, where the race rewards explosiveness and precision.

“The way he moves out of those blocks, his airtime, his angle—he accelerates so well. It would be interesting to see him next to Coleman and how that matches up.”

Justin Gatlin, a sprinting legend in his own right, recounted a humorous yet telling moment from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

“I remember I was doing some starts next to him, and I was like, ‘let me try your start.’ He puts both knees on the ground, and man, he got out of the blocks. He obliterated me,” Gatlin shared, laughing.

Gatlin, renowned for his own explosive starts during his career, emphasized that Holloway’s technique and raw power are exceptional. 

“The guy’s start is unreal. If he ever decides to focus on the flat sprints, he’s going to surprise a lot of people.”

Beyond individual races, Green also pointed out that Holloway’s inclusion in flat sprints could address Team USA’s long-standing struggles in the 4×100-meter relay. 

With his superior start and versatility, Holloway could be a game-changer in the team’s efforts to rebuild and reclaim dominance on the global stage.