Masai Russell believes she can 'go faster' than her Olympic Trials record in 100m hurdles

Over three years ago, Kentucky hurdler Masai Russell said she’d be an NCAA Track and Field national champion. While Russell never got to see out that dream, she now has a new one on the horizon.

Becoming a world champion and gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Kentucky alum competed in the United States Olympic Trials almost two weeks ago, securing her spot in Paris along the way. There, Russell set a world-leading time in the 100m hurdles: 12.25 seconds. She broke a 24-year-long Olympic Trials record, previously held by Gail Devers. Her pace is the fourth fastest time ever recorded in the event.

Funnily enough, the second-fastest time is held by another former UK athlete, Kendra Harrison.

Masai really made her dream come true 👏✨

We are cheering you on @masai_russell! #WeAreUK x #UKTF x #OlympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/ddOrq3m6ZB

— UK Track & Field (@KentuckyTrack) July 12, 2024

Now that Russell is an Olympic Trials champion, there’s only one more thing to cross off the hypothetical bucket list: stepping on that podium as a gold medal Olympian. Even though the hurdler has the current fastest time in the world, she said she thinks she can go faster.

“I was running like 12.8 a month ago,” Russell said, per UK Athletics. “However, it’s a clean slate when you come to the (starting) line, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done to that point. It only matters what you do now.“

“I think I can go faster,” she said.

UK Track and Field alumna Masai Russell (@masai_russell) says faith was the reason she was able to bounce back from the worst season of her life.

Now she has her eyes set on 🥇 at this summer's Olympic games in Paris.@KentuckyTrack #BBN @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/BbFQgWY1sT

— Jordan Adams (@Jordan_Adams4) July 5, 2024

Russell also said that she doesn’t think people realize how big of an accomplishment her time actually is. I mean, she has the fourth fastest time in her event in history. Not just in the Olympic Trials, but also in the Olympics themselves. Only three other women have outpaced Russell, one of them being a former Wildcat.

Now, Russell has her eyes set solely on Paris. The 2024 Olympics take place July 26-August 11. Make sure you don’t miss Russell’s potential world record when she runs her 100m hurdles. Along with Russell is a slew of former and current Kentucky athletes competing for gold.

So turn up that blue and white pride, add a little red, and cheer on the ‘Cats (and Masai Russell) this summer.