'I don't want to go back'- Why Grant Holloway dreads return to Tokyo as Noah Lyles & Rai Benjamin agree

American sprint hurdler has revealed his reluctance to return to Tokyo for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Fellow American Olympians and Rai Benjamin echoed his sentiments during a candid discussion on the podcast.

The episode featured Coby Cotton, a member of the sports and comedy group Dude Perfect, as their guest.

The conversation began with Cotton reflecting on the trio’s triumphant performances at the Paris Olympics last year, where all three secured gold medals in their respective events. Cotton described the experience as unforgettable.

Gabby Thomas view of what it takes to triumph in track and field is also shared by Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin.

“I’ve told a lot of people we’ve been incredibly lucky to do all the big cool sports things. That (Paris Olympics) was by far, not even close, the best sports moment I’ve ever experienced. It was truly insane to be in the building for it,” he said.

The discussion shifted to the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, set for September 2025. Benjamin mentioned the event, prompting Cotton to express curiosity about visiting Japan for the first time. However, quickly interjected with a surprising admission.

“I got PTSD. I don’t want to go back to Tokyo,” he said.

Benjamin responded in agreement, recalling his emotional experience, stating, “You and me both. I cried my a** off.”

The Olympics champions have opened up on the intrigues that make the Olympics Games look ‘stupid’ given what athletes put in for four years.

chimed in, saying, “All three of us,” as Benjamin concluded, “We all got our a** whooped in Tokyo.”

The trio’s reluctance stems from their experiences at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, where they fell short of gold in their events despite strong performances.

finished third in the 200m, behind teammate Kenny Bednarek in second and Canadian Andre De Grasse, who clinched gold while Holloway claimed silver in the 110m hurdles, narrowly losing to Jamaican Hansle Parchment as also settled for silver in the 400m hurdles, in a thrilling race won by Norway’s Karsten Warholm.

While Tokyo left them with bittersweet memories, the Paris Olympics in 2024 marked a turning point for all three athletes. Each claimed gold in their events, reinforcing their dominance on the global stage.

Olympics champion Rai Benjamin has shared why he feels the US Track and Field trials are tougher to navigate than even the Olympics Games.

Despite their reservations, the 2025 World Athletics Championships could offer a chance for Holloway, Lyles, and to rewrite their Tokyo narrative

Both Lyles in the 100m and 200m and Holloway in the 110m hurdles have titles to defend at the September Championships

For now, however, the memories of Tokyo linger, serving as a reminder of the challenges the trio face in their pursuit of excellence even as they season debuts, Lyles and Benjamin at the New Balance Grand Prix in February and Holloway at the meet in Lievin in the same month

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