When we think about a competition, we usually see it as stats. It’s either winning or losing! This idea of assuming everything is black or white even becomes more enforced when competing on an international stage. And there are very few athletes who can overcome this belief and view sports more than wanting to win. But Masai Russell, at just the age of 24 years, has learned how to feel “secure” about her abilities and her sports. This doesn’t mean that the track and field star doesn’t want to do more or improve herself, but she has learned to enjoy the excitement that her sport offers to her.

Recently, the Olympic Champion gave an interview to CITIUS MAG. In the interview, the newly crowned 100mH Queen talked about everything from her life after winning gold in Paris, 2025 goals, records, training cycles, pre-match jitters, and whatnot. What intrigued us the most about her interview was the maturity she has developed at such a young age about her sport.

Masai Russell no longer believes that her sport always has to be a winning streak. Rather, she is fine with hitting the lows and not getting the early wins. “I am okay with taking the hits and maybe not winning earlier in the season.” But she constantly wants to work on “smaller things to make sure” everything is fixed and she has improved her skills before the next championship cycle.

The Young Prodigy has developed an understanding that her sport, hurdles, is a very technical event and what needs to be done to improve it. Hence, she has turned into a “very secure person,” knowing that her techniques may not be flawless every time, but when it comes to the USA, “it’s going to be perfected.” So for now, she is just enjoying “the thrill!”

Isn’t it a great way for Masai Russell to look at her sport, given that she did have a very rocky journey before making it big? Russell never became an NCAA champion, neither in the 100m nor in the 400m hurdles. She broke the collegiate record for 60m in 2023. But very soon in the same year, the record was again broken by Ackera Nugent. The result? Many kept questioning the abilities of Masai.

The true salvation moment came for her when she qualified for the Olympics with the insane timing of 12.25s and won the US trials. She further cemented her position as a promising athlete with her golden victory in Paris. But this isn’t it, and more is yet to come from her! Her fans are now waiting for her return with the Grand Slam Track event scheduled for the next year.

What GST can mean to Masai Russell?

GST announced Masai’s entry into the event in September 2024. This new track and field sporting event would be a great opportunity for her to further strengthen her position. But it won’t be so easy. Along with her, Cyréna Samba-Mayela and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn have also entered the event. Both the athletes shared the podium with Masai in Paris as silver and bronze medalists, respectively. Anyways, who likes an easy win?

Also, the event comes with an impressive price incentive of $100,000. You know, but what would be more incentivizing for the athlete? Given the fact that she cares about the future of track and field. The competition could provide an opportunity to address some of her recent frustration with it. During the Olympics, track and field is the most-watched sport. But after the Olympics, people tend to forget about its existence. According to Masai Russell, it’s all due to the confusing broadcasting structure of the sport.

So, GST for the athlete would also mean a jump in viewership. It could be a chance to solve one of the issues with track and field. So, Masai must make the best of the opportunity!