Masai Russell wins first Olympic race in photo finish

Masai Russell‘s first Olympic race was one to remember. The former Kentucky track star advanced to the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles this morning in Paris with the third-fastest time, but her heat came down to a photo finish.

Russell and Netherlands’ Nadine Visser both crossed the line in 12.53 seconds, the time tied to the thousandths of the second. That sent officials to the monitors, where they determined Russell won, as her torso crossed the finish line first. Either way, she and Visser are both through to the semis, along with France’s Cyréna Samba-Mayela.

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

🇺🇸Masai Russell wins her heat and is through to the 110mH semis 👏 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/uQZZF1HcIZ

— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) August 7, 2024

Russell’s Olympic debut was impressive but another former Cat is atop the standings going into the semifinals. Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (UK 2016-18) finished her heat in 12.42 seconds. Camacho-Quinn is the defending gold medalist in the event, setting the Olympic record in Tokyo, 12.26 seconds.

As Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medalist in track and field, Camacho-Quinn served as the flag bearer in the Opening Ceremonies. At Kentucky, Camacho-Quinn was a three-time NCAA Champion (100mH x 2, 4x100m relay) and five-time SEC Champion (100mH x 3, 60m hurdles, 4x400m relay).

¡La campeona se hace presente! 😌🇵🇷

🙌 La puertorriqueña Jasmine Camacho-Quinn clasificó a semifinales en los 100m Vallas femenino primera de su serie con tiempo de 12.42, el mejor de toda la ronda.

▶️ Así fue su carrera#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/4GkRtliBXa

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 7, 2024

Finally, Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton made it a clean sweep for the Cats in the 100-meter hurdles, qualifying with a time of 12.71 seconds. The Kentucky Track volunteer assistant coach ran collegiate track at Purdue for current Kentucky head coach Lonnie Greene. This is her second Olympic appearance.

Women’s 100mH Standings After Opening Rounds

Here are the complete standings in the 100mH heading into Friday’s semifinals. Those who didn’t qualify today will have another chance in the Repechage round tomorrow morning.

Rank	NOC	Name	Heat	Result
1	PUR	Jasmine CAMACHO-QUINN	2	12.42
2	NGR	Tobi AMUSAN	1	12.49
3	USA	Masai RUSSELL	3	12.53
3	NED	Nadine VISSER	3	12.53
5	FRA	Cyrena SAMBA-MAYELA	3	12.56
6	JAM	Danielle WILLIAMS	4	12.59
7	USA	Alaysha JOHNSON	1	12.61
8	JAM	Ackera NUGENT	5	12.65
9	BAH	Devynne CHARLTON	5	12.71
10	GBR	Cindy SEMBER	2	12.72
11	USA	Grace STARK	5	12.72
12	IRL	Sarah LAVIN	4	12.73
13	BAH	Charisma TAYLOR	3	12.78
14	CAN	Mariam ABDUL-RASHID	3	12.80
15	SUI	Ditaji KAMBUNDJI	4	12.81
16	POL	Pia SKRZYSZOWSKA	2	12.82
17	JAM	Janeek BROWN	1	12.84
18	JPN	Mako FUKUBE	1	12.85

Cats in Paris Schedule

Here is the rest of the schedule for former Cats in the Olympics. Kentucky Diving Volunteer Assistant Julia Vincent is currently competing in the Women’s 3m Springboard preliminary heats if you’d like to watch on E! or Peacock. Two more Kentucky Track stars are in action this afternoon, as Daniel Roberts competes in the 110-meter hurdles semifinals and Alexis Holmes in the 400-meter semifinals.

Wednesday, August 7

• TRACK & FIELD — 4:15 AM: Women’s 100mH Round 1 (Masai Russell, USA — 12.53, QUALIFIED; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico — 12.42, QUALIFIED; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas — 12.71, QUALIFIED)
• DIVING — 9:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Preliminary (Julia Vincent, South Africa); E!, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 1:05 PM: Men’s 110mH Semifinal (Daniel Roberts, USA); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 2:45 PM: Women’s 400m Semifinal (Alexis Holmes, USA); USA, Peacock
• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — 3:30 PM: Nigeria (Adebola Adeyeye) vs. USA; Quarterfinals; USA, Peacock

Thursday, August 8

• DIVING — 4:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Semifinal (Julia Vincent, South Africa); E!; Peacock
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — 10:00 AM: United States (Avery Skinner) vs. Brazil; Semifinals; NBC, Peacock
• MEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — 3:00 PM: USA (Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis) vs. Serbia vs. Serbia; Semifinals; NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:25 PM: Women’s 400mH Final (Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, USA); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:45 PM: Men’s 110mH Final (Daniel Roberts, USA); NBC, Peacock

Friday, August 9

• TRACK & FIELD — 4:40 AM: Women’s 4x400m Relay Round 1 (Alexis Holmes, USA); USA, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 6:05 AM: Women’s 100mH Semifinal (Masai Russell, USA; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas); USA, Peacock
• DIVING — 9:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Final (Julia Vincent, South Africa); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 2:00 PM: Women’s 400m Final (Alexis Holmes, USA); NBC, Peacock
• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Semifinals

Saturday, August 10

• TRACK & FIELD — 1:45 PM: Women’s 100mH Final (Masai Russell, USA; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas); USA, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:22 PM: Women’s 4x400m Relay Final (Alexis Holmes, USA); NBC, Peacock
• MEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Bronze and Gold Medal Games
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — Bronze Medal Match

Sunday, August 11

• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Bronze and Gold Medal Games
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — Gold Medal Match