When it comes to the world of hurdles, few women have as much spotlight on them as Masai Russell. But shouldn’t they? After all, she is turning up the heat and making her name in the track world. You already know Masai as the 2024 Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter hurdles, but now she’s doing something even bigger—shattering an American record at the Grand Slam Track League. And the kicker? Noah Lyles is all-in, showing his support in the best way possible.

Picture this: it’s a sunny day in Miami, Florida, and Masai is flying through the 100-meter hurdles. She clocks in a scorching 12.17 seconds, setting an American record and earning the second-fastest time in history. Right behind her was Tia Jones, finishing with the third-fastest time at 12.19 seconds. With the tailwind just right, her race was officially counted in the record books.

When asked about her performance, Masai kept it humble, saying, “I wasn’t expecting that. I always tell y’all when it’s time for me to run fast; I love to run fast.” Well, Masai, you’ve backed that up! But the jaw-dropping moments didn’t end on the track. Even Steve Cram, the commentator, was left speechless. “Twelve… is that right?” he asked, clearly trying to wrap his mind around what had just gone down.

And then—boom—Noah Lyles, the 200-meter king, caught wind of Masai’s record on X. When Masai Russell posted about her new American record with “AMERICAN RECORD ME!!!!,” and Lyles hit back with a simple yet epic “Welcome to the club.” And let’s not forget, Noah Lyles isn’t just tossing out compliments.

The guy holds the American record for the 200 meters with an insane 19.31 seconds from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. That time crushed Michael Johnson’s 26-year-old record. Lyles has since snagged a gold in the 100 meters and a bronze in the 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Masai Russell has officially joined the ranks of American track royalty. But, time and again, Noah Lyles has directly or indirectly supported her!

Masai Russell is overcoming hurdles and crafting a legacy like Noah Lyles

Back in 2024, after her unexpected third-place finish at Athlos, Masai Russell shared a cryptic tweet that caught the attention of Olympic champion Noah Lyles. “People try to find any reason to not like you when you are a good person,” she wrote, likely reflecting on the backlash she received following her performance.

Russell, who struggled with a poor start in the 100m hurdles, argued that the race should have been restarted due to a false start, which she believed unfairly impacted her outcome. Noah Lyles, who has faced his share of public scrutiny, reposted Russell’s message, perhaps feeling a connection to her frustration. Even just a few months back, Masai Russell echoed Noah Lyles’ views on growing an athlete’s brand beyond the track, emphasizing the importance of standout performances.

Both athletes agree that while medals are essential, they should be a starting point for greater opportunities outside of sports. Masai Russell, who has built a strong social media presence with over 528K Instagram followers, uses her platform to grow her brand. As Russell put it, “I’m just using my platform and being who I am meant to be at this moment in time,” while also focusing on her ultimate goal, “to be the best hurdler in the world.”

Russell is determined to capitalize on major performances, ensuring she’s ready when the spotlight shines. Though uncertain about life after track, she’s committed to maximizing her current brand potential, saying, “I just pray I continue to do something great and look good while doing it.” In the end, Russell is not only building her athletic legacy but also shaping her future beyond the track.