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Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell has urged athletes to try at least a year of college, revealing the key role that her experience played in her track and field journey and Olympic triumph.
Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell has recently shared just how integral her college experience was in shaping her journey to the top of the 100-meter hurdles podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Russell’s victory, a dazzling 12.33-second run, marked her as the first American woman since 2016 to capture gold in the event.
The dramatic finish saw her lean over the line, edging out France’s Cyréna Samba-Mayela and Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn by a mere one one-hundredth of a second.
Reflecting on the role her collegiate years played in her success, Russell credited the University of Kentucky for molding her both on and off the track.
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12:19 - 07.11.2024
'I'm more than an athlete'-Masai Russell opens up on the daunting task of her other occupation
Masai Russell who won gold in women's 100m hurdles at the Olympics has shared her journey of balancing her track and field career while also running other activities off the track.
“I think everyone should experience going to college, even if it’s just for a year,” Russell stated on the Sports Xposure Podcast.
“I learned so much from the people around me, my boyfriend, my teammates each brought something unique that expanded my view of the world.”
Russell spent five years at the University of Kentucky, where she trained rigorously, building her physical and mental resilience.
During her collegiate career, she shattered the NCAA record in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking in at 12.36 seconds.
That feat and others propelled her to a professional career after her NCAA season in 2023, setting the stage for her Olympic success.
Her Kentucky years, however, weren’t just about athletic achievements as the Olympian emphasized the value of her broader experiences, learning from teammates from different backgrounds and places, which, she believes, prevented her from staying 'stuck' in what was familiar.
“Being around people who aren’t from your area can really open your mind. So even if it’s for one year, college is an experience worth having.”
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05:15 - 07.11.2024
'What an honour' - Masai Russell responds to Alexis Ohanian's invitation for the 2025 Athlos
The women-only track and field meet offers the biggest prize money.
Russell also shared a moment of pride for completing her degree.
“As much as they made their money off me, baby, I got my money back too,” she laughed, alluding to the athletic department’s support and her own hard work.
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