Masai Russell had a brilliant Paris Olympics, as she ended up winning the gold medal in the 100m hurdles. The track and field star won a heavily tight race, beating France’s Cyrus Samba-Mayela by just 0.01 sec with a time of 12.33 seconds. This track star became an overnight sensation, especially after her standout performance in the Olympic trials, where she clocked a jaw-dropping 12.25 seconds, making her the fourth fastest in history.

Now, with that shiny Olympic gold medal shining bright, Masai is gearing up for the Athlos NYC event and is also set to return to next year’s Grand Slam Track. So, how is she planning to make even more history? In an interview with CitiusMag, Masai Russell was asked about what intrigues her the most about these brand-new competitions.

She said, “I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s the prize money as well or just the amazing field and just being a part of such an elite and first-time event.” She added, “I just feel like track is like right on it’s right at the door of like kicking down the door. So I’m glad that I could be like etched in history a part of like these first annual meets and events to just, you know, broaden and increase the sport.”

To announce this collaboration, Grand Slam Track shared a post on X on September 24: “ONLY THE FASTEST. Welcome to the Grand Slam Track family, Masai Russell, Cyréna Samba-Mayela, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.” That’s right—Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who snagged a bronze in Paris, is joining forces with Masai at Grand Slam Track! And let’s not forget about silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela—she’s in the mix too! But while Masai gears up for Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, she’s got to keep her eye on the prize because the Athlos NYC event is just around the corner on September 26, and the competition is heating up.

As the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Masai Russell is stepping into the NYC event with a hefty dose of pressure. If she doesn’t clinch the win, the naysayers will undoubtedly start buzzing about her credibility. And let’s be real: it won’t be a walk in the park. She’s got some fierce contenders lined up! Masai will face off against Alaysha Johnson, who took second in this year’s Olympic Trials; Danielle Williams, a two-time World Champion; and, of course, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the Tokyo gold medalist herself.

So, buckle up—the 100-meter hurdles at Athlos are about to get very interesting! After this, Masai Russell will shift her focus to next year’s Grand Slam Track, where the excitement is palpable. These races promise high stakes and huge prize money, and you can bet she’s buzzing to make her mark!

Masai Russell expresses her excitement as she joins the Grand Slam Track

Joining Athlos and GST Masai Russell made it clear: she’s eager to compete in the revolutionary events in women’s track and field! But it’s not just standing on the brink of history that makes her excited. Athlos is serving up a prize purse of over $600,000, with each race winner taking home a cool $60,000 and a custom Tiffany & Co. crown! Furthermore, at the Grand Slam Track, Masai will be vying for an impressive $100,000, battling it out against a fierce group of talented women who also have their sights set on the prize.

“Coming off the Olympics, I want to continue regularly competing at the highest level, against the best in the world and I’m certain that Grand Slam Track is the place for that,” Russell shared. Plus, the financial incentive is hard to ignore! For Masai Russell, this money would mean a lot due to her rough childhood.

She was raised by a single mother in a rough neighborhood in Boston. Her father suffered from alcoholism, while her brother passed away because of substance-related problems. Despite these hardships, Masai’s mother turned things around, eventually becoming a doctor and making the brave decision to send Russell to a private school for a better education. Masai speaks glowingly about her mother, acknowledging the profound influence she had on her life.

“It’s just inspiring. She’s my hero..… Having the cards that she was dealt with, and the outcome that she ended up having, it’s crazy. Like, crazy,” she said, talking to the Athletic. Thus, with the historic event and prize money on the line, Masai Russell also has a golden opportunity to give back to her mother, who has fought tooth and nail her entire life to provide her daughters with a brighter future.