After qualifying for the Paris Olympics, 100-meter hurdler Masai Russell celebrated by getting a new black Mercedes.
If Russell wins gold, it will be a huge reward, and she’ll likely have a lot of social media content to share.
When she’s not running hurdles, Russell is a top social media influencer with about a million followers. She shares posts about hurdles, hair, health, training, and dance, some of which get up to 60,000 “likes” from her fans.
“My boyfriend says, ‘That could fill up a whole stadium,’” Russell said, noting that it’s a bit overwhelming to think about.
The 24-year-old from Maryland initially planned to go to Tennessee but ended up at the University of Kentucky after following a coach. Kentucky is well-known for hurdles and has produced stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn from Puerto Rico, and silver medalist Kendra Harrison.
Russell currently has the fastest time in the world this season at 12.25 seconds, competing against Camacho-Quinn and Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, who won at the world championships in Budapest last summer.
“I try not to think too much about having the top time because I know I can do more,” Russell said. “I believe if it’s meant for me to win gold, it will happen.”
Russell used to run the 400 hurdles before switching to the 100 hurdles in college.
“The 400 hurdles are tough to train for and compete in,” Russell said. “I’m happy the 100 hurdles are where I ended up. I’ve really come to love it.”
