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The pair have worked for six years, and the Paris glory is a sign of the remarkable transformation
Paris Olympic 100m hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell has credited her success in France to the hard work and transformation she has undergone under her coach.
Born in Potomac, Maryland, the 5'4'' track phenom is coached by the decorated Lonnie Greene who took charge of her at the age of 18. That transition took place at the elite hurdles factory of the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
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15:49 - 21.10.2024
'US trials is like the Olympics within itself' - Masai Russell reveals crucial role trials played in her 100m hurdles Paris glory
Russell, 24, boasts a personal best of 12.25 seconds in her specialty.
University of Kentucky is also the former institution of fellow global gold medal winners Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Daniel Roberts, runner-up to Grant Holloway in the men’s 110m hurdles in Paris, also trained there.
Russell said working under the Bahamian tactician has seen her develop and progress at every stage in her career. In Paris, the American flew over the line in 12.33 seconds, edging France's Cyrena Samba-Mayela by just 0.01s. Defending champion Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico followed in third place with 12.36s.
Reflecting on her heroics in the French capital, the 24-year-old told World Athletics:
"He’s been my coach from the jump, since coming into Kentucky as an 18-year-old. He’s such a relentless coach. I’ve progressed every single year underneath him, on his programme”.
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14:00 - 20.10.2024
'I missed out on a medal by just being leaned out' - Masai Russell on why she was heartbroken at World Indoors
The American holds a personal best of 12.25 seconds over 100m hurdles
Russell first broke 13 seconds with 12.90 in 2021 and has since improved to 12.71 in 2022, 12.36 in 2023 and now 12.25 in 2024. That 12.25 came in the final at the US Olympic trials. It puts Russell joint fifth on the world all-time list.
“It’s just super-promising that I’ve got better every single year under Coach Greene,” she continues. “It makes me so happy to know what my future has to hold – being as young as I am, not being as strong as I could possibly be. I know my ceiling’s super-high with a coach like that.”
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