Masai Russell Wins Gold in 100m Hurdles

Masai Russell of the United States won the gold medal in the women's 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing with a time of 12.33 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela, who secured silver. This victory marked the first Olympic gold for the U.S. in this event since 2016 and was Russell's first Olympic medal. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, the reigning champion, took bronze with a time of 12.36 seconds. The race showcased a highly competitive field, with Russell's win coming down to a photo finish, eliciting emotional responses from the competitors. Russell, a former NCAA star, had previously qualified for the Olympics by finishing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials. The event highlighted a new generation of American hurdlers, as established stars like Tobi Amusan and Nia Ali did not advance to the final.