For weeks, fans have speculated about Grant Holloway possibly making a surprise leap into the Grand Slam Track league. After all, the 110m hurdles champ didn’t exactly hold back his praise during a recent sit-down on the Beyond the Records podcast with Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin. His thoughtful take on the league’s direction had some thinking, was Grant warming up to Michael Johnson’s startup series? Could one of track and field’s most electric personalities be the next big name to jump ship? Not so fast.

While Holloway had no issue giving credit where it’s due, his podcast comments were less of a hint and more of a hard truth about how the league could improve. Grant Holloway, the 110m hurdles king, didn’t mince words when it came to the meet’s pacing, saying, “Let’s not have this whole little talk show for about 10-15 minutes until the next event starts. Because at some point I’m over here doing practice swings with my putter and my irons, and I forget the track meet is on.”

His jab was light-hearted, but the message was real. Downtime was killing the vibe. Still, while he admits GST is doing some things right and the product is evolving, his loyalty remains firmly outside of the league. In YouTube Shorts uploaded by the Ready Set Go Podcast, Grant Holloway spoke candidly about why he’s not competing in Grand Slam Track. And it wasn’t about the money! “Grant’s not here, so $100,000 is up for grabs.”

The reigning 110m hurdles king made it clear that while he appreciates what GST is trying to do, he’s sitting this one out. “Like, I’m not in it, but I appreciate just the change… It’s adding different avenues so people can get eyes on track,” he said. That duality! Respect for innovation but a personal decision to stay out is classic Holloway. He emphasized his stance with clarity: “I’m not signed up for any Grand Slam. I don’t have any desire to do any Grand Slam this year.”

His words shut the door firmly on fan speculation, even as he left a small crack open for 2026. Holloway’s stance aligns with broader critiques about GST’s rocky debut. Especially the sluggish pacing and lackluster presentation that dulled the excitement of live competition. Empty stands at Jamaica’s National Stadium turned what should’ve been a headline event into a head-scratcher. Even the broadcast itself struggled to keep the energy alive.

While Holloway joked about practicing golf swings between races, the downtime left fans wondering if the event forgot it was a track meet. Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin didn’t hold back either. And they’re not the only ones seeing cracks in the GST armor. Jon Mulkeen Magyar, a respected voice in global athletics and former Diamond League VP, called the league’s opening meet a disaster.

Kingston, a place known for its electric track culture, somehow delivered a lifeless debut. “Boring, lifeless, with long stretches of inactivity and—perhaps most telling—an empty stadium, in Kingston, the capital of one of the world’s greatest track and field nations,” he wrote. Harsh words, but ones echoed by frustrated fans online. So when Holloway said he’s sitting out despite praising the innovation, it wasn’t shade. It was realism. The league may have potential, but as fans reacted across social media, many respected his honesty.

Fans applaud Grant Holloway’s integrity as he stands apart from drama

For years, Grant Holloway has defined excellence in the 110m hurdles. With three indoor and three outdoor world titles, including his latest win in Nanjing, he’s been the gold standard of consistency and class. But even icons have off days, and his 10th-place finish in Xiamen this season proved he’s human. Holloway used the moment to show what real leadership looks like.

And that sense of character is exactly why fans are rallying behind him during the ongoing debate around Grand Slam Track (GST). As one fan put it, “This is the difference between a brother and these hood ninjas. A brother will support something positive even if he’s not in it. No need to put it down because it doesn’t work for you.” It’s a reminder that you don’t need to sign up to support something’s growth.

Despite being a perfect candidate for the $100,000 GST races, Holloway made it crystal clear he’s sitting this one out. “I’m not signed up for any Grand Slam. I don’t have any desire to do any Grand Slam this year,” he stated with calm confidence. But that doesn’t mean he’s throwing shade. On the contrary, he commended the innovation GST brings to the sport, welcoming its attempt to pull in fresh audiences and energy.

His focus? Staying in his lane. Still, his thoughtful stance earned him even more respect from fans who admired his honesty and maturity. “Well, at least he is honest about what he has to say, unlike some others who can’t stop taking shots at the event,” one commenter noted, drawing a stark contrast to other stars. That contrast has been particularly felt in the way some fans view Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson.

While both are undeniable talents with massive influence, there’s a perception that their approach sometimes breeds unnecessary friction. “Such a great take from Grant,” a fan wrote. “I’ve always thought Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri think that anyone that’s not on their program is their enemy. That’s hood mentality—they always have to be fighting, even when no one’s fighting them.”

Others echoed the sentiment, praising Holloway’s grounded and drama-free presence: “I like Grant better than Noah. He should be the face of track and field. Keeps it real, articulate personality and his actions back up his words—doesn’t create drama.” It’s clear that fans are craving leadership that feels authentic and unbothered. Interestingly, even Noah Lyles, once skeptical of GST’s structure, admitted on his Beyond the Records podcast that he wants it to succeed.

That admission was met with curiosity, not criticism. It revealed a side of Lyles that is reflective and open, even if cautiously so. Meanwhile, Holloway’s supportive but detached approach comes across as refreshingly non-performative. “Yes 😂 ‘Grant’ has no desire to sign up for that $💯 thousand dollar bag, because after all he’s in the ‘Elite’ status of the track & field game, making a few million nowadays👌,” a fan joked, reinforcing the idea that Grant doesn’t need the money or the noise! He’s already winning on and off the track.

And then there’s Sha’Carri Richardson, who continues to make waves in her own powerful way. Alongside Noah, her presence has the power to elevate GST into something with real star power. Fans recognize that. But they also appreciate when stars like Holloway choose to support from a distance without stirring drama. Holloway may not be racing for GST titles, but he’s certainly earned the fan title of “real one.”