"Just showing me that I've done the right things" - Masai Russell on being friends with "legends" Sanya Richards-Ross and Dawn Harper-Nelson

Masai Russell expressed pride in being friends with Sanya Richards-Ross & Dawn Harper-Nelson, the track greats she grew up watching and now talks to them over the phone. Russell also said that "representing herself" as an example to the young athletes was an honor for her.

Russell, a 2018 Bullis High School alumnus, took her debut Olympic gold in the 100m hurdles in 12.33s at the Paris Olympics 2024. She also ran a couple of Diamond League races in 2024 and continued her strong form at the first edition of Athlos NYC in September.

In an interview, released Saturday, with the Pivot Podcast, the Kentucky Wildcats graduate talked about taking pride in achieving such success on the track that she befriended Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross and Dawn Harper-Nelson, whom she grew up watching.

"I said it's just such a blessing and an honor that I can represent myself in such an amazing way that I can be an example to those younger than me. I'm friends with the women that I used to look up to, Sanya Richards, and Dawn Harper" (24:41).

Russell also shared that Richards-Ross and Harper-Nelson talk to her on the phone, which makes the 24-year-old believe even more in herself.

"These are legends and now that they know who I am and they're like 'Girl', like calling me on the phone, I'm like, 'it's just showing me that I've done the right things."

Russell also has the US NCAA 100m hurdles record to her name, while her personal best time in the event is 12.25s.

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Masai Russell thanks parents for time at Bullis High School

Masai Russell winning the 100m hurdles at the Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty

Russell was raised by her parents, mother Dr. Sharon Russell and father Mark Russell, who played a significant role in paving the road to success for the Olympian. She didn't want to attend school but her father signed up for the Bullis School, which she now says made her the successful woman she is.

Speaking to the Pivot Podcast, she said,

"I can only appreciate and thank my parents because at a certain age your parents are the ones that direct your steps, and then at a certain point, you got to let your kid's wings fly, and, y'know, my dad putting me into Bullis, the high school that Quincy Wilson [Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400m relay] goes to" (25:13).

She added,

"I didn't want to go to school an hour away from my friends[...] But it's what I had to do to be here now. And it's just really crazy to just look back at all the sacrifices that were made from when I was a young girl."

Masai Russell recently won the 100m hurdles bronze in 12.44s, behind her Olympic rival Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, at the Athlos NYC.