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Masai Russell has shared her struggles leading up to Olympic gold revealing the mental battles that nearly made her quit.
Olympic champion Masai Russell has captured the world’s attention with her incredible performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but her journey to the top was far from easy.
In a recent interview with The Pivot, the 24-year-old hurdler shared a heartfelt account of the trials and challenges she faced on her way to Olympic gold.
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Having wrapped up her 2024 season following the Athlos NYC meet, where she placed third in the 100m hurdles, Russell reflected on her mindset in the months leading up to the Olympics.
With just one win to her name in 2024 — a race that just happened to be the biggest of her life — Russell’s path was defined by perseverance, faith, and a determination not to give up, even when things seemed insurmountable.
“I wanted to quit. I am not going to lie, it was hard,” Russell admitted, recalling the difficult training days leading to her Olympic victory.
“I just told myself that on the other side of this there was going to be something, like, I don't know what it is, I am just not going to stop, I am not going to stop, and I think that just built the savage in me.”
Her candid remarks gave fans a glimpse into the relentless physical and mental toll of preparing for the most prestigious event in sports.
Russell’s 2024 season was not filled with countless wins, but it was marked by one defining moment: her triumph at the Paris Olympics.
Clocking in at 12.33 seconds in the 100m hurdles final, Russell secured her place in history by claiming the gold medal. However, in the months prior, the athlete grappled with thoughts of doubt and uncertainty.
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After months of rigorous training, Russell’s hard work paid off. But she emphasized that the journey wasn’t just about winning medals. It was about surviving those moments when she felt like she couldn’t go on.
“It was really about pushing through when I felt like everything was against me,” she shared.
“I knew that I was going to be a champion, but the path to get there was filled with so many moments where I could have thrown in the towel.”
The Olympic champion finished her 2024 season at the Athlos NYC meet at Icahn Stadium, where she ran the 100m hurdles for the final time that year.
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Despite finishing third with a time of 12.44 seconds, behind Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Alaysha Johnson, Russell was still proud of her efforts.
However, her performance at the meet was tinged with frustration due to a start-line issue that affected her focus.
“I want to protest because as anyone can see, there was a lot of flinching going on at the starting line,” Russell revealed.
That kind of affected me. I was playing catchup the whole entire race. So, you know, it is a big prize money on the line, and I think the person who ran the legal race should get the prize money they deserve.”
Russell’s 2024 season was undoubtedly challenging, but her Olympic victory stands as a testament to her resilience.
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Despite her struggles, she recorded her personal best time of 12.25 seconds at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, the fastest of her career.
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