Masai Russell shared her feelings about Athlos becoming a pathbreaking event for women athletes, giving them opportunities to shine in the sport and earn big from prize money. Russell was in contention in the 100m hurdles at Athlos, winning the event in 12.52s.
Russell was on the University of Kentucky track and field team, setting NCAA records and emerging as one of the top hurdlers in the US before turning professional in 2024.
Masai Russell Gets Real About How Athlos Is Opening More Opportunities for Women Athletes
Russell was a force to be reckoned with at the 2025 US Indoor Championships, winning the 60m hurdles in the world’s best time. In the outdoor edition, she triumphed in the 100m hurdles in 12.22s and cemented her status as one of the top favorites for the races ahead. She competed at the World Championships, but missed the top three by an inch. The 25-year-old also claimed the 100m hurdles title in the second staging of Alexis Ohanian-hosted Athlos NYC, walking home with a staggering amount and a ceremonial crown.
In a recent excerpt from the women-only track-and-field event, Russell shared why she was drawn to Athlos, the league that has changed the game for women in sports. She highlighted the opportunities it provides, the prize pool, and how it has helped bring more attention to female athletes than ever before.
“I think the biggest thing for me was that it was an all-women’s meet, just giving women in sports opportunities. I think the prize money made that pretty easy, too. It’s one of the largest prize purses in the world, so the fact that it’s an all-women’s meet, the largest prize purse for us outside of a championship, it’s a no-brainer. Women in sports have just grown over the last, like, three years, so drastically, I think that we’re definitely starting to get our flowers,” she said.
Russell earned top spot in her signature event in the Olympic Trials and repeated the feat at the Paris Games.
The Olympic gold medalist balances life on the track with a strong presence on social media, often sharing updates from her journey. In an interview with Olympics.com, she revealed that sharing her roots and how she pursues her goals is an essential part of who she is.
She also spoke about feeling confident in front of the camera, being herself, singing and dancing, and even calling herself out, among other things. Russell is the second-fastest in her discipline, behind Tobi Amusan, who set the world record in 2022.
