Masai Russell warns Amusan, Others: ‘I can run faster than 12.25!’
Masai Russell says she has set her sights squarely on Paris and the 2024 Olympic Games where she hopes to be crowned the Olympic champion.
Russell ran 12.25 to win the USA Olympics trials last month in Eugene, Oregon and the 24 year old hopes to transform from being USA Olympic Trials champion to Olympic champion in Paris.
‘I’m an Olympic Trials champion and I’m ready to be an Olympic champion next,’ said the athlete in the preview of the 100m hurdles on World Athletics website.
Russell had served notice of a star in the making when in 2023 she ran 12.36 to break the collegiate record at a meet in Austin, Texas. That was the fifth fastest time in 2023 albeit she did not qualify to compete at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The 24 year old had taste of global athletics at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, this year, finishing fourth in 7.81 over the 60m hurdles.
Russell’s inconsistency meant no one took any serious notice of her until the USA Olympics Trials in June this year.
She ran 12.35 and 12.36 in the opening round and semifinal heats respectively at the USA Olympics Trials to become the cynosure of all eyes at the final.
She fulfilled all expectations, blazing to a 12.25 finish to race to the top of the world list.
Russell’s time broke the USA Olympic Trials record of 12.33 that was held by Gail Devers for 24 years. It is also the best in the world this year, and the fourth fastest time ever recorded.
‘I think I can go faster,’ Russell told UKathletics.com.
She says her performance at the Trials was just a ‘confirmation that I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m an Olympic Trials champion and I’m ready to be an Olympic champion next.’
