The world took notice of the name

Masai Russell during the 2024 Paris Olympics. And how could it not? She, after all, during her very first Olympic season, went on to create history! But her journey to it was far from easy. It turns out she had to navigate the dodgy fields of jealousy, criticism, and personal challenges right before the big moment finally arrived!

First, let’s look at what happened in Paris. First came the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, when Masai took the world by surprise and went on to clock 12.25. Thus also earning her ticket to Paris. And then came the Paris Olympics, and Masai showed the world that she was here to stay. She went on to clock 12.33 and beat Cyrena Samba-Mayela. While the world was all praises, it turns out that not everybody has been cheering for her along the way!

The downfalls of Masai’s dreaming big!

Masai Russell’s rise to the Olympic Gold was not as breezy as she makes it look. Turns out, when she was in high school, she had some major personal issues, and her team was not supportive, to say the least. As Masai herself puts it, “My senior year, my mom, she was sick, and you know the girls on the track team were hating. I had made like USA teams; they was mad I was wearing my USA gear, and it was just like little petty things.” So what exactly happened?

Masai’s mother, Dr. Sharon Russell, has, growing up, always been the pillar of support. But unfortunately, during her senior year at Bullis School, her mom had some health issues. In Masai’s words, “My mom just… she was not in her best state, and she was just very hurt and sad that she wasn’t able to stick up for me and be there for me.” It looks like Dr. Russell, a board-certified oral surgeon and co-founder of the Maryland Oral Surgery Group, was not just dealing with her health. But also grieving over not being able to protect her daughter!

Despite all the hate, Masai did not give up on her sport. At Bullis, she went on to win eight national titles and even set multiple national records. Her graduating year, she was even named the Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year for Maryland. However, Bullis and their coaches, Joe Lee and Derrick Johnso, seemed to have built the athlete she is today. The days of unfortunate hating had put the larger world order in perspective for her. Instead of falling into the spiral of bitterness, Masai made herself a champion!

Unlike Her Ex-Team, Masai Russell is a Girl’s Girl!

May it be on track or off track, Masai Russell is always a girl’s girl. But not just on the mere surface of it, but she aspires to support the next generation of women athletes. As Masai herself puts it, “I just want every young girl to understand and know that if you believe in yourself, if you can see the work, day in and day out, there’s nothing that’s impossible for you.” Right on! And to make it even better, these are not just words!

Masai recently even ran at the Athlos NYC meet. Athlos is an all-women track league that had Gabby Thomas as the face of the meet. Masai had an interesting race here, too. Despite an unfortunate start in the 100m hurdles, she managed to clock 12.44 and win bronze. But the most interesting part of it was not the meet but the warm-up areas. “To not see any men in the warm-up area is definitely different, and the prize money is different. I mean, the energy is just different,” she added. From Masai’s words and journey, two things are very clear!

One, Masai Russell’s journey has only just begun. Two, unlike the girls who hated her, Masai is all about lifting other women up.