Masai Russell of the U.S. achieved a stunning victory in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, capturing her first Olympic gold in a thrilling photo finish. Russell crossed the line in 12.33 seconds, narrowly edging out France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela by just 0.01 seconds.
The dramatic finish denied Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn the chance to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic golds in this event. Camacho-Quinn settled for bronze with a time of 12.36 seconds.
Russell, who entered the Games without major titles, showcased her exceptional talent at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials by setting a personal and world-leading time of 12.25 seconds. This performance also broke Gail Devers’ 24-year-old Trials record, marking her as a formidable contender in Paris.
In the final, Russell demonstrated her remarkable speed and agility, surging past her competitors after clearing the final hurdle. Her ability to out-dip Samba-Mayela and Camacho-Quinn by mere hundredths of a second highlighted her impressive rise in the sport and secured her place as Olympic champion.
