Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyrese Maxey send support to Masai Russell at 2024 Paris Olympics

Former Kentucky track and field star Masai Russell won her first-ever Olympic race in a photo finish on Wednesday, advancing to the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles after beating out the competition in 12.53 seconds. She’ll compete for a spot in the finals on Friday at 6:05 a.m. ET on USA and Peacock, opening the door for a gold medal in her debut appearance at the Olympics.

A photo finish win for Masai Russell in her first race as an Olympian. 🔥 #ParisOlympics

(📺 USA Network and Peacock) pic.twitter.com/CjYxnDGB90

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024

She got to this point by destroying a 24-year-old U.S. trials record in June, running the 100mH final in 12.25 seconds to earn her first Olympic birth. NBC reporter Maria Taylor remembered her first interaction with the former Wildcat in August of 2022, Russell telling her way back when she’d be joining her in Paris at the 2024 Olympics.

Now they’re there together two short years later.

“I don’t know, you know? It just took a lot of hard work and belief,” Russell told Taylor. “I really just think it was belief, belief is the biggest thing. Now I’m here, out in Paris, talking to you.”

In the five-minute feature on NBC, Russell talked about her love for track and her roots, starting as a gymnast before following in her siblings’ footsteps as a sprinter. Little did she know that path would lead her to record-holding status with a few short days and races separating her and an Olympic gold medal.

That’s how she will define success leaving Paris coming out of the weekend. It’s got to end on the podium.

“Success for me will be walking out with a medal. I want it to be gold, for sure,” she told Taylor. “I’m not coming to sell myself short for third or second. If it falls between there, that’s where it falls, but I’m here to put my name on the map in the world and let them know who Masai Russell is by coming out of here with the dub. … Masai Russell will be an Olympic gold medalist.”

How about some words of encouragement from a few familiar faces? Taylor called in quite the favor, former Kentucky basketball stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyrese Maxey sending over videos supporting Russell’s push for gold in Paris.

“What’s up Masai? It’s your fellow Wildcat Karl-Anthony Towns,” the former said. “I am so, so, so proud of you and can’t wait to watch you chase gold. You’re ready for this moment. Believe in yourself and most importantly have fun. Go Cats!”

“Yo, what’s up Masai? It’s your fellow Wildcat here Tyrese Maxey,” the latter added. “We’re all so proud of you, know you’re going to go out there and chase greatness. We just want to wish you luck. Good luck out there at the Paris Olympics, Go Masai!”

Take a look at Maria Taylor’s sitdown interview with Masai Russell on NBC below:

.@masai_russell believed that she would be an Olympian and she is. Next goal for her? 🥇

Thank you @TyreseMaxey and @KarlTowns for sending their support for @masai_russell ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RVXwXPBsHE

— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) August 8, 2024

Well done, Masai. Now it’s time to earn gold.