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Russell, 24, boasts a personal best of 12.25 seconds in her specialty.
Masai Russell considers her success in this year’s Olympic trials as her break-out achievement on her way to bagging gold in the 100m at the Paris Olympic Games.
During the trials, Russell scorched home at Hayward Field in 12.25 seconds, ahead of Alaysha Johnson (12.31), Grace Stark (12.31), Nia Ali (12.37), Tonea Marshall (12.38) and Harrison (12.39). In Paris, the American flew over the line in 12.33 seconds, edging France's Cyrena Samba-Mayela by just 0.01s.
Defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico followed in third place with 12.36s. The 24-year-old says the US Olympic trials are tougher than the Olympics itself, maintaining that he was more stressed to bag a slot during the trials than competing in Paris.
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14:00 - 20.10.2024
'I missed out on a medal by just being leaned out' - Masai Russell on why she was heartbroken at World Indoors
The American holds a personal best of 12.25 seconds over 100m hurdles
"I was way more stressed making the team in the trials than actually being on the line in the Olympic final. There’s no Olympics if you don’t get through the US trials. And the US trials is like the Olympics within itself," Russell told the World Athletics.
Russell, who boasts a personal best of 12.25 seconds in her specialty set during the trials, said her stress was partly due to the competitive nature of the US trials. She said all her competitors are so talented and anybody can win on their day.
"That was the fastest-run women’s 100 hurdles. And the women’s 100m hurdles is the most competitive event in track and field. We’re all so close and so talented. Whoever has the cleanest race on the day, they’re probably going to win".
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09:00 - 20.10.2024
'I’m trying to build a legacy'- History-chasing Masai Russell undone with targets set in 2024
She reiterates that glory in Paris was only the beginning of better things to come.
The US and Jamaica are considered powerhouse in sprints if their dominance in global championships is any barometer. "I think 12 women have run 12.30s this year. I don’t think that’s ever been done in history… It’s pretty sick,” Russell adds.
Indeed, 12 women have run under 12.40 in 2024, six of them in that stunning US final - and that adds up to a historical high by some margin. In 2023 the total was seven. In 2022 it was six. Prior to that no more than two women had broken 12.40 in any year.
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