Olympics and unfinished business await for hurdler Holloway while Sha'Carri and Lyles keep blazing

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — When the track announcer asked Grant Holloway what he thought of his latest win at U.S. track trials, America's best hurdler made it clear there are bigger things to come.

“If you're not training to win an Olympic gold medal," Holloway said, "then what the heck are you doing?”

That mantra has stayed planted in the 26-year-old's brain over the past three years, ever since an upset loss at the Tokyo Games left him with everything in this sport, except its biggest prize.

On Friday, the three-time world champion earned a trip back to the Olympics, winning the trials with the fourth-fastest time in history, 12.86 seconds, despite clipping the eighth of 10 hurdles in a not-so-subtle reminder of how fickle this event can be.

Others with unfinished business looming at the Olympics include Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, each of whom blazed through their 200-meter semifinals to set up races Saturday to qualify for their second event.

Richardson faces a matchup against Gabby Thomas in what could be one of the best races of the trials.

Holloway’s 110 hurdles was up there, too, though he’s well aware that making the games and bringing home Olympic gold are two different things.

In Tokyo three years ago, he cleared all 10 hurdles but faded late and lost by 0.05 to Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment, who runs in his country’s national championship this weekend. Holloway called it one of the worst races he’d ever run and one of Parchment’s best.

Friday's race marked Holloway’s third sub-13 run of the season — the second-fastest of his career. Freddie Crittenden was 0.07 seconds behind and Daniel Roberts finished third in 12.96, making this the first race in history with three sub-13 times.

Could an American sweep in the short hurdles — a la what Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin pulled off for the U.S. in the women's race in 2016 — be in the offing this summer?

“We’ve already put it out there," Holloway said. "I think me, Daniel and Freddie have probably already thought about it once we came through that finish line.”

Sha'Carri Richardson ran her personal-best time. Gabby Thomas ran the season's best time.

Up next, a showdown in the final between two of the best this year at 200 meters.

Thomas, the Olympic bronze medalist in 2021, glanced up to the scoreboard and looked surprised when she saw the “21.78” by her name after her semifinal. The mark bettered the best of 2024 by 0.05.

Richardson was every bit as pleased with her 21.92, which matched a personal best.

“It just shows I've been working, not just me but my team, preparing for this moment,” Richardson said.

Thomas ran a smooth curve and accelerated down the homestretch to hit a time even she wasn't expecting. She said she'd love to put another low number up in the final Saturday.

“I absolutely would,” she said. “If I make the team, I want to come out with another world lead, another ‘pb’ and just show everyone I'm ready to compete.”

Also in the final will be NCAA champion McKenzie Long, whose 21.83 was the best of 2024 before Friday.

Lyles ran a wind-aided 19.60 to win his semifinal, and was thinking about more than the Olympic spot he'll be racing for Saturday.

“After the 100s, I was thinking I could come out here and attack the American record again, maybe the world record. We'll see,” said Lyles, who won the 100 last weekend.

Two summers ago on this track, Lyles ran 19.31 to beat by .01 Michael Johnson's hallowed American record, set at the Atlanta Games in 1996. The world record belongs to Usain Bolt at 19.19.

Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin stayed on pace for a return to the games, finishing his semifinal in the 400 hurdles in 47.97, the only sub-48 time of the meet so far.

Benjamin ran 46.17 at the Tokyo Games to finish second in the fastest 400 hurdle race ever. His mark would have been a world record were it not for Norway's Karsten Warholm, who ran 45.94.

They appear headed for a rematch in Paris. Benjamin said he sees no need to post a time in Sunday’s final as a way of sending a message.

“It’s just about making this team,” Benjamin said. “Once I do that, everything else will take care of itself.”

Javelin thrower Kara Winger bought herself a few more throws to turn her comeback into her fifth trip to the Olympics.

Next up, she needs to eke out another meter.

The 38-year-old threw 63.01 meters (206 feet, 8 inches) to win qualifying and advance to Sunday’s finals. But it will take more than a mere top-three finish for her to make it to Paris. She will also need to throw 64 meters, which is the Olympic qualifying standard.

“Every single throw matters, every single throw can be 64 meters,” she said. “And I know I have it in me. But (63.01 is) the farthest I’ve ever thrown at trials.”

—Eric Holt, who made a splash by getting a sponsor this week at trials, initially earned the last qualifying spot for 800 final but was later disqualified for a lane infraction.

—Two-time triple jump gold medalist Christian Taylor, making one last run at the Olympics, advanced through qualifying and will jump for a spot in Sunday's final.

—Also returning to the track this weekend is 41-year-old hurdler Lolo Jones, who finished last in her heat but advanced because no one was eliminated in a small prelim field.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Grant Holloway wins the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Grant Holloway celebrates after winning the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Grant Holloway celebrates after winning the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Lolo Jones competes in a heat women's 100-meter hurdles during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Grant Holloway wins the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Gabby Thomas wins a heat women's 200-meter semi-finals during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Noah Lyles wins a heat men's 200-meter semi-finals during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Sha'Carri Richardson wins a heat women's 200-meter semi-finals during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Grant Holloway wins the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Grant Holloway wins the men's 110-meter hurdles final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Austria is bidding to go farther than it ever has at a European Championship when it takes on Turkey in the round of 16. The Austrians surprisingly topped a group ahead of France and the Netherlands and are bullish about progressing to the quarterfinals under German coach Ralf Rangnick. Turkey has shown signs of individual brilliance but is yet to click at Euro 2024 and will be without suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglu. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the match:

— Turkey reached the semifinals of Euro 2008 and is looking for another deep run in the tournament. But Italian coach Vincenzo Montella’s team struggled to beat 10-man Czech Republic in the last game and was beaten 3-0 by Portugal before that. Turkey qualified for the knockout stage as runner-up in Group F.

— Austria recovered from an opening 1-0 loss to France by beating Poland 3-1 and then the Netherlands 3-2 to top Group D.

— Calhanoglu and defender Samet Akaydin are suspended for Turkey because of an accumulation of yellow cards, while 10 of its players – including Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz – are in danger of missing the next match if booked.

— Austria will be without suspended defender Patrick Wimmer, while eight players including captain Marko Arnautovic are in danger of suspension.

— Austria and Turkey played a friendly in Vienna in March, when Austria won 6-1.

— Turkey defeated Austria 6-0 on aggregate in a playoff to reach the 2002 World Cup, where the team went on to finish third.

— Austria lost only one of its 10 qualifying games for Euro 2024 and lost only once last year. Rangnick’s team has won 14 of its last 19 matches, losing just two.

— Turkey came into Euro 2024 without a win in five matches.

— Austria has never been involved in a competitive penalty shootout, while Turkey defeated Croatia 4-2 in a shootout in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals.

— Both captains, Calhanoglu and Arnautovic, helped Inter Milan win Serie A last season.

— Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer and Turkey’s Salih Ozcan are Borussia Dortmund teammates, while Turkey defender Mert Muldur was born in Vienna. The Fenerbahce player was in the youth ranks of Rapid Vienna with Austria players Niklas Hedl and Leopold Querfeld.

— If Austria wins, it could mean a quick rematch in Berlin against the Dutch. The winner of this game will play the Netherlands or Romania in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

— Turkey had concerns about Real Madrid star Arda Guler during the group stage, but the 19-year-old attacking midfielder played from the start in the final group game and should be fit.

— Rangnick reported no late injury worries on Monday. Real Madrid defender David Alaba, who would have been captain, is missing the tournament as he recovers from a knee injury.

— Austria has a better record with nine wins to Turkey’s seven from their previous 17 meetings. There was one draw.

— Austria’s six goals at Euro 2024 have all come from different players.

— Austria is playing in the Euros for the fourth time and the third in succession. Its campaign was ended in the last 16 by eventual champion Italy in the last edition.

— Turkey is making its sixth tournament appearance, and third in succession.

— It will be Turkey’s first game in Leipzig.

“They are a very tough team who apply a lot of pressure. In the friendly there, we couldn’t respond to their pressure. I see this more as just another match rather than a chance for revenge. We want to win this match; even if it’s 1-0, it needs to be ours. We need to eliminate them and move forward.” — Turkey defender Zeki Celik.

“It doesn’t matter to us if our opponents are Austria or another country, to be honest. It wouldn’t be right to see this as an opportunity for revenge. Excessive ambition could backfire on us. We should keep both feet on the ground and do everything we can to win the game.” — Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok.

“The team knows full well that no matter who we play against, if we give our best performance, we can beat any opponent. But the players are still completely grounded and know exactly what’s important. The energy we bring to the field is what has made us a special team so far.” — Austria coach Ralf Rangnick.

AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Turkey's Kerem Akturkoglu, right, celebrates with his teammate Arda Guler after scoring his side's third goal during a Group F match between Turkey and Georgia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Turkey's Kerem Akturkoglu, bottom, celebrates with his teammate Arda Guler after scoring his side's third goal during a Group F match between Turkey and Georgia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Turkey's Arda Guler gestures during a Group F match between Czech Republic and Turkey at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Turkey won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Austria's Marcel Sabitzer (9) scores a goal past Micky van de Ven of the Netherlands (15) during a Group D match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Austria's Marcel Sabitzer celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)

Austria's Marcel Sabitzer, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Group D match between the Netherlands and Austria at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP)