'When I look like that, know I ain't playing no games' - Masai Russell on the 'beast mode' that won her Olympic gold

Masai Russell has revealed the mental tactic that made her deliver in the races that really matterd during the 2024 season, including the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Reigning Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell has opened up about the mental strategies that helped her secure victory in the races that truly mattered during the 2024 track and field season.

 The 24-year-old hurdler, who clinched the gold by a razor-thin margin of just 0.01 seconds, edged France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela with a time of 12.33 seconds in one of the most dramatic finishes of the Games. Defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico took bronze with a time of 12.36 seconds.

Russell's rise to Olympic stardom has been anything but smooth. Just a year before, the Baltimore native had minimal experience on the international stage, having recently completed her collegiate career at the University of Kentucky. 

Her early professional struggles included a ninth-place finish at the Prefontaine Classic and a disappointing sixth-place showing in a Diamond League meet. However, her perseverance and mental toughness led her to shine when it counted the most.

Standing atop the Olympic podium, tears streamed down Russell's face as the American national anthem echoed through the stadium. It was a moment of triumph, not just for her athletic achievement but also for the mental and emotional obstacles she had overcome on her path to gold.

In a recent interview on Justin Gatlin’s Ready Set Go podcast, Russell reflected on her journey and the mental fortitude that saw her through the toughest races of the season.

 She described how she adopted a fierce, determined attitude, which she credits with helping her rise to the occasion in both the USATF Olympic trials and the Olympic final.

“At the Olympic trials, I knew I was gonna do my thing because I PRed in the first round, ran 12.35,” Russell shared. “Leading up to the trials, my best time of the year was 12.60. It was definitely a mental thing, so lining up for the final, I was like, ‘This is my race to lose.’ I was in shape, and my coach knew exactly what to do when it was time to run fast."

Russell's mental clarity and focus proved crucial as she delivered a standout performance, setting a meet record time of 12.25 seconds at the USATF Olympic trials. 

But it was at the Paris Olympics where her mental approach truly shone. Despite the high stakes, she remained calm and composed, channeling her energy into a performance that would earn her the title of Olympic champion.

“When I got to the line at the Olympics, my mind was just clear,” Russell said. “I wasn’t thinking about anyone else but myself. I think that’s when I run my best—when I look like that, just know I ain’t playing no games. That’s my alter-ego.”

Russell also shared a key piece of advice from her boyfriend, who helped her stay grounded and focused during the Olympic final. “My boyfriend was like, ‘You’re going to Paris, so let’s just get this done so we can go about our business.’ I just kept staying calm and focused, not getting ahead of myself.”

Her performance in the Olympic final demonstrated not just her physical ability but also her ability to stay mentally strong under pressure. Despite hitting the second hurdle, Russell kept her composure and powered through to victory. “I felt my knee hit the second hurdle, but I was like, it’s not done in two but ten, and I got over that line and dipped for my life.”

Though she has since faced challenges, including missing out on the Diamond League trophy and the $60,000 prize at the Athlos Women’s Only event, Russell remains proud of her Olympic triumph. As she put it, “When it matters most, I’m going to do my thing. You can count on me in the championships.”