"US trials is like the Olympics within itself" - Paris 2024 champion Masai Russell on being more stressed during trials than in 100m hurdles final

Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell recently opened up about feeling the pressure to secure a spot on the US team for Paris 2024, stressing the level of competition at the US Olympic trials. Despite the challenges, Russell earned a gold at the Paris Games.

The 24-year-old made a name for herself on her Olympic debut at the French capital. She clinched the women's 100m hurdles gold in a nail-biting encounter and secured the gold in a photo finish clocking at 12.33 seconds, just 0.01s ahead of Cyrena Samba-Mayela. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico's defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn had to settle for a bronze after finishing with a time of 12.36 seconds.

Before the Paris Olympics, Russell impressed at the US Olympic Trials in June where she not only achieved a personal best but also set a new world leading time of 12.25 seconds which was later surpassed by Jamaica's Ackera Nugent in August. The American's time also shattered the 24-year-old US Trials record set by three-time Olympic champion Gail Devers.

Despite her dominant run at the trials, Masai Russell admitted that she was stressed out about her position in the US team beforehand, given the high level of competition of the event.

"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," the 24-year-old told World Athletics

"My goal is to be the Olympic champ again" - Masai Russell reflects on her future

Masai Russell at the Paris Olympics (Source: Getty)

Opening up on her future aspirations, Masai Russell expressed her determination to become the world champion in both indoor and outdoor events, set a world record, and reclaim her Olympic title at the 2028 Games in LA.

"My goal is to be the world indoor record-holder, the world indoor champ, world outdoor record-holder, world outdoor champ - and Olympic champ again. If I’m not shooting to be the best ever in the sport, then what am I doing?," she said (via World Athletics)

She added:

"I’m trying to build a legacy for those who look up to me: the little girls who don’t believe they’re big enough or strong enough to do it. I know that they can. I want to be that person for them."

For her success in the 2024 season, Masai Russell extended gratitude to her coach Rolando “Lonnie” Greene for being a guiding light.