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Masai Russell has opened up on the one race building up to the Paris Olympic Games that changed her life forever.
Reigning 100m hurdles Olympic champion Masai Russell has revealed that her victory at the 2024 US Olympic trials was the pivotal moment that transformed her career. The triumph not only secured her place in the Paris Olympics but also redefined her mindset and set her on the path to Olympic gold.
Russell, who claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a time of 12.33 seconds, narrowly defeating Cyrena Samba-Mayela, credits her performance at the US Olympic trials as the turning point. In a stunning display, she clocked a personal best of 12.25 seconds, breaking the trials record and cementing her status as one of the sport's brightest talents.
Speaking on Citius Mag, Russell described how the trials reshaped her perspective:
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“The race that changed everything for me, changed my perspective and the way I thought of myself, was the Olympic trials,” Russell shared.
Despite entering the trials with a season's-best time of 12.6 seconds, she surpassed expectations by trusting her instincts and embracing her potential.
“I just got out of myself and allowed my body to do what it wanted to do. I took my power back from how lost I got in track," she said.
Russell opened up about struggling with self-doubt and external pressures earlier in the season, admitting she had lost touch with her identity as an athlete:
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“I got so lost and caught up in what other people were thinking of me and everything else. I lost who Masai Russell was.”
Determined to regain control, Russell adopted a new mindset ahead of the trials:
“I told myself, ‘At the end of the day, everything has happened. I’ve hit hurdles, I’ve fallen—the worst has happened. The worst thing you can do is show up.’”
By choosing to bet on herself and focus on her faith, Russell found the confidence to excel when it mattered most.
The trials marked the beginning of a new chapter for Russell. She described the moment as a spiritual awakening:
“That’s when I saw God in my life, and I was like, ‘If you have faith and believe in what you are doing, there is nothing you cannot do if you don’t stop.’”
Her record-breaking performance at the trials—one of the fastest times ever in U.S. history—showcased her immense potential as she embarked on her first professional season.
Masai Russell’s story of resilience and faith serves as an inspiration to athletes and fans alike. From overcoming doubt to rewriting history, her journey is a testament to the power of self-belief and perseverance. As she continues her career, Russell’s Olympic triumph is just the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary legacy.
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