'Why should I care? - Masai Russell on the challenges of competing without a sponsor

American hurdler Masai Russell has reflected on her early-season struggles, including challenges finding sponsorship, before her gold medal victory.

Olympic champion Masai Russell recently opened up about the challenging path she faced before securing her place on the world stage.

Despite a string of impressive performances, Russell struggled to find a sponsor at the beginning of the 2024 track and field season—a situation that left her questioning her future in the sport.

However, her story is one of perseverance, and after clinching gold in the 100m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Russell is now looking back at the journey that brought her to the pinnacle of her career.

In a candid conversation on the Ready Set Go podcast with former track legend Justin Gatlin, Russell reflected on her feelings of frustration and disappointment after being overlooked by sponsors at the start of the season.

Despite having an impressive record, including multiple NCAA Division I Championship titles and a bronze medal at the USA Championships, Russell felt unsupported as she prepared for the 2024 track season.

“I ended up coming into the season without a sponsor, and I mean I felt like I did enough to get that," Russell revealed .

"And when it didn’t happen the way I expected it to go, you know, it kind of threw me off a little bit. So, coming into the season, not feeling like I had that support, it was a little harder to go to practice.”

Russell, who had previously competed for the University of Kentucky, expressed that the lack of sponsorship affected her motivation and mindset during training.

Despite consistently proving herself as one of the top hurdlers in the world, the Washington native found it difficult to stay focused when she felt her hard work wasn't being acknowledged.

"It was a little harder to show up, and I was just like, no one cares if I’m showing up, so why should I care?" she added.

Fortunately, her determination never wavered completely.

Just a few months into the 2024 season, Russell signed a sponsorship deal with global sports giant Nike, marking a major turning point in her professional career.

Before inking this deal, she had been signed with Britain-based apparel brand Gymshark, but the move to Nike solidified her position as one of the elite athletes in track and field.

Throughout her struggles, Russell found comfort and support from her boyfriend, Robbie Springfield, who helped her stay grounded during these difficult times.

Russell acknowledged Springfield’s unwavering presence during her journey, stating that his support was invaluable as she pushed through the uncertainty that plagued the start of her season.

Reflecting on her Olympic triumph in Paris, Russell also shared the challenges she faced in the lead-up to the 100m hurdles final.

In an interview with Olympics.com, she admitted to having a sleepless night before her event, filled with anticipation and anxiety over the possible outcomes.

“I couldn’t sleep last night because I kept tossing and turning, hearing my name coming up as No. 1,” Russell said.

Her concerns were well-founded as she went on to make history in the French capital becoming the fifth U.S. women’s athlete to win gold in the 100m hurdles.