by Deji Ogeyingbo
Masai Russell: Gold in Paris and the Road Ahead for 2025
How do you do better than winning an Olympic Gold? This is the sort of conundrum many top athletes face entering into a new season. Having to gear yourself up for a new season and go again. Masai Russell is one such athlete. After her Olympic gold medal in Paris, which was the culmination of years of hard work, setbacks, and self-belief. Yet, as the excitement of that victory fades, she finds herself looking forward, not resting on her laurels.
Her victory at the 2024 Olympics was a moment many had long predicted. With a time of 12.33s, she proved she can jostle it out with some of the top athletes in the world. But that race, that photo finish, was more than a moment of win.. It was a statement. Russell had not only fulfilled a dream, but she had also put herself in a position to potentially dominate the women’s 100mH– an event that has seen an incredible rise in competition over the last one year.
At 5-foot-4, Russell doesn’t have the intimidating size of some of her competitors. But when she lines up for a race, there’s a different energy about her. She transforms. That shift from smiling, approachable personality to fierce competitor is what makes her such a threat on the track. When Russell steps out on that line, she means business.
Looking ahead to 2025, the question now is: how does she stay at the top? The 100-meter hurdles is arguably the most competitive event in the world right now. The field in the U.S. alone is deep, and Russell’s victory in Paris was just the start. In the U.S., she faces off against other elite athletes, like Keni Harrison, Alaysha Johnson, Grace Stark both of whom have proven themselves time and time again. The international stage is no different, with fierce competition from athletes across the globe.
But Russell isn’t afraid of the challenge. In fact, it’s what keeps her going. “I know what I’m capable of,” she says. And she’s determined to prove that her gold medal wasn’t a fluke.
After her Olympic success, Russell’s confidence has grown. But she’s also aware that every race brings a new challenge. There’s no room to become complacent. “You have to show up every day,” she says. “The track doesn’t care who you are, where you came from, or what you did yesterday. It’s about what you do today.”
In 2025, Russell will have to build on the momentum she gained in Paris. She’ll be looking to continue improving, shaving off milliseconds from her time, and solidifying her place as the top hurdler in the world. The 100mH is a race where every fraction of a second counts. Even the smallest mistake, like hitting a hurdle or getting a slow start, can be the difference between not qualifying for a major championship or winning Gold. Russell knows this better than anyone, which is why she’s not content with just winning one Gold.
She plans to push herself harder in 2025. The Olympics may have been the pinnacle for many athletes, but for Russell, it’s just the beginning. She wants to build on her success and remain at the top of her game. The next step is the World Championships in Tokyo. First, she has to navigate a very gruelling indoor season which kicks off at the Millrose Games in New York in February.
One of the biggest factors in her success has been her mental approach to the sport. Russell has spent a lot of time working on her mental game, learning how to stay calm under pressure and how to handle setbacks. In 2023, after failing to make the final of the World Championships in Hungary, she found herself doubting her abilities. But rather than letting that defeat define her, Russell used it as motivation. She came back stronger, faster, and more determined to prove herself. And by the time the Olympic trials rolled around in 2024, she was ready. She set a Personal best of 12.25s and earned a spot on the team.
Now, with the Gold in hand, Russell’s mindset has only grown stronger. She knows that the road to the top is never easy. But she’s ready for whatever comes her way in 2025. Whether it’s the World Championships, the U.S. Trials, or another Olympic cycle, she’ll be there, focused and prepared to fight for her place in history.
Russell has shown time and time again that she has the heart, the grit, and the talent to come out on top. The competition in the U.S. and internationally is fierce, but Russell is ready. She’s not just a one-hit wonder. She’s here to stay.
Editor’s note: Masai Russell has begun 2025 in style. Masai Russell won the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 60 meter hurdles on February 2, 2025 and the 60 meter hurdles at the 117th Millrose Games , on February 8, 2025.
