Prince George’s County has long been a powerhouse for athletic talent, but Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell just took local pride to a global level.
On Thursday at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Zurich, Switzerland, the 26-year-old track icon blazed across the finish line in a staggering 12.09 seconds, establishing a new world record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
Russell shaved three-hundredths of a second off the previous world mark of 12.12 seconds set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan in 2022. The milestone moment comes just two years after her gold-medal-winning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, further cementing her status as one of the dominant hurdle specialists in modern track and field history.
Built in Prince George’s County
Before captivating the international track world, Russell was making waves right here in Prince George’s County. A native of Upper Marlboro, she honed her incredible speed, technique, and discipline as a standout student-athlete at Bullis School in Potomac before going on to set collegiate records at the University of Kentucky.
For community leaders and residents across Prince George’s, Russell’s record-shattering achievement serves as a testament to the talent fostered within local youth programs, track clubs, and high schools.
Eyes on the Future
Reflecting on her historic performance, Russell noted that condition-wise, the run was executed without strong wind assistance—leaving her confident that she can push her limits even further in upcoming competitions.
“I’m just proving what hard work, belief, and staying true to the process can do,” Russell shared following her win.
Prince George’s County continues to celebrate Masai Russell’s relentless pursuit of greatness as she inspires the next generation of local athletes to dream big and hurdle every obstacle in their path.
