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Before the Paris 2024 Olympics, Masai Russell faced intense online trolling, which fueled her determination to win Olympic gold.
American Masai Russell has disclosed how online trolling that she underwent on social media before and during the Paris 2024 Olympics fueled her drive to Olympic gold.
The 24-year-old hurdler faced a barrage of negative comments online but managed to channel the criticism into motivation, culminating in a triumphant win in the women's 100-meter hurdles.
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14:10 - 19.08.2024
Mary Moraa reveals thought-process as she watched Keely Hodgkinson win 800m Olympic title
Mary Moraa has revealed what was going through her mind as she watched Keely Hodgkinson win the women's 800m final at the Paris Olympic Games.
Russell’s victory was marked by a dramatic photo finish at the Stade de France, where she clinched the gold with a time of 12.33 seconds, narrowly edging out French favorite Cyréna Samba-Mayela by just .01 seconds.
The win was not just a personal victory for Russell but also a moment of historical significance as she broke the 24-year-old Trials record previously held by Gail Devers.
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08:00 - 12.08.2024
Paris 2024: How Kenyan design influenced the name of a US Olympic gold medalist
U.S. hurdler wins Olympic gold, inspired by Kenyan Maasai culture through her unique name derived from their traditional bead designs.
On Monday, following her return to America, Russell has been open about the challenges she faced.
"Look at it, look. I am the 2024 Olympic champion. Can you believe it? All the tears, all the hard work—I've literally reached the pinnacle. I've literally attained the pinnacle in this space," she said.
Despite the joy of victory, the path to Olympic gold was marred by online negativity, something Russell did not shy away from discussing.
"The negative comments hurt me so badly, but I think I subconsciously ingested them into my brain. And it just stuck with me to never keep going, to prove people wrong, to make it happen, to get it done," she explained.
However, Russell emphasized that the support from her fans and loved ones played a crucial role in her success.
"I'm just so blessed and thankful for you guys. Those positive comments were just like my driving factor," she noted.
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10:30 - 14.08.2024
Masai Russell: Net worth, salary, partner, social media influence & background
Masai Russell was is an Olympic gold medallist at the 100m women's hurdles
Looking ahead, Russell remains optimistic about the remaining season, with several more Diamond League meets on her calendar before concluding her season on September 26th.
"My season isn't over yet, I still have a couple more Diamond League meets. We're going to close out the season on September 26th, and that's sort of where it was," she stated.
In her heartfelt remarks, Russell also promised to share more about her experiences in a detailed video after the season ends.
"I'm going to do a full debrief and sit-down video after I think the season is over. I don't know when I'm going to post it. More likely, it will be like a life update video. But we'll actually sit and ponder and think about it."
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