"I wanna feel that again"- Masai Russell makes honest confession about her Olympic gold medal experience as she prepares for the upcoming season

Masai Russell expressed her desire to relive her gold-winning moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is something that motivates her to work harder. Russell clinched her maiden gold at her first Olympic appearance in her first season as a professional.

Masai Russell boasted a successful collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, setting the US NCAA record in the 100m hurdles. In 2023, she broke the 60m hurdles collegiate record clocking 7.75s and lowering Grace Stark's record of 7.78s set in 2022. Her trajectory earned her a spot at the 2023 World Championships, where she advanced to the semi-finals but a hurdle mishap ended her bid.

Winning the 100m hurdles feat at the US Olympic Trials in 2024, Russell earned an Olympic seat for the first time. She unfurled her prowess on the global stage, beating a promising field to take the gold in 12.33s.

Months later, Russell made her feelings known amid the holiday season, building up to the 2025 season. In Episode 1 of Momentum, a series on Russell's YouTube channel, the 24-year-old expressed wanting to feel her Olympic gold-winning moment again since she draws motivation from it.

"Like, every time I watch that Olympic final and I see my reaction, like I want to feel that again. So like that's my motivation to continue to work hard." (5:44 onwards)

Russell also ran at the Alexis Ohanian-hosted Athlos NYC, taking third place in the 100m hurdles behind Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Alaysha Johnson.

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Masai Russell talked about her regime for the initial meets of the 2025 season

Masai Russell at the Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15 - (Source: Getty)

Fresh off her successful 2024 track season, Russell is gearing up for the 2025 races, first up, the Millrose Games on February 8, 2025. On December 6, 2024, in an interview with CITIUS MAG, she shared that her focus for the initial meets would be to rectify the technical errors, building up to the Championships cycle.

"I think I am a very secure person in my abilities. So although it may not look flawless in April, like best believe when we get to USA, it's going to be perfected. So, I'm okay with taking the hits and maybe not winning earlier in the season to work on those smaller things to make sure that they are fixed going into the Championship cycle," she said. (12:18 onwards)

Following the Millrose Games, Russell will look to take the track at the US Championships on July 31 and World's on September 13, 2025.

Her personal best in the 100m hurdles (12.25s) is tied for fifth of all time. She also holds a personal best of 54.66 in the 400m hurdles.