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Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell is excited to compete in Athlos and the Grand Slam Track league, highlighting the key motivations behind her thrill.
Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell is thrilled to be part of Athlos, Alexis Ohanian’s women-only event and the Grand Slam Track league.
Russell explained to Citius Mag that having an event that offers higher prize money than the usual World Championships and Diamond League Meetings is a huge motivation to athletes and she is proud to be among the ones benefiting.
She further expressed pride at being a part of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track and racing with powerful women. The Grand Slam Track league is set to be launched next season with Athlos scheduled for today (Thursday, September 26).
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16:08 - 25.09.2024
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Masai Russell & Cyrena Samba-Mayela join Grand Slam Track league
Olympic 100m hurdles medalists Masai Russell, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn are the latest stars to join Michael Johnson's $100,000 per meet Grand Slam Track league.
“My mind was already set to that and it wasn’t too hard especially when they have the highest prize money ever at a meet outside the World Championships…you know, it’s not too hard to stay focused on $50,000,” Russell said.
“I don’t know if it’s the prize money or just the amazing field and being part of such an elite and first-time event. I just feel like the track is right at the door and I’m glad I can be a part of the history of these annual meets and events and broaden and increase the sport,” she added.
Athlos has a prize money purse of over $600,000, with the winners of the six races each walking away with $60,000 and a custom Tiffany & Co. crown. Grand Slam Track, Russell will be fighting for $100,000 against a pool of strong women who also have their eyes on the prize.
Speaking about her training, the American explained that nothing had changed after the Olympic Games as she had to compete in a series of competitions in preparation for Athlos.
Russell competed at the Diamond League Meeting in Silesia where she finished fifth before heading to the meeting in Rome and finished second. She finished third in Zurich and proceeded to a second-place finish at the Grand Prix Lombardia.
“Nothing has changed in my day-to-day, my life has just been the same because, after Paris, I did just come home for a week and got back to training and then hoped on a train to go overseas and I wasn’t really able to take advantage of that moment past Olympics,” she said.
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