400m hurdler Russell takes aim at another Olympic final

PARIS, France:

Janieve Russell has seen the evolution and accelerated rise of the women’s 400 metres hurdles since her Olympic debut in 2016. With the great depth and races more competitive than ever, Russell hopes that she remains a mainstay in the event as she seeks a third consecutive Olympic final.

Russell, along with Shiann Salmon and national champion Rushell Clayton, will be vyng for final spots when the women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals take place today at 1:07 p.m. Jamaica time.

Russell qualified automatically from her first-round heat on Sunday with a third-place finish, shaking the rust off in her first race since the national championships in June.

“My stride pattern wasn’t how I wanted it to be as I came home harder than I was supposed to do. I think that was the only problem. I felt good. My stride pattern was really messy. I lost a lot of momentum coming home,” Russell said. “But I feel like it’s because I haven’t raced since the national trials. But I am really excited for the semi-finals.”

The excitement comes from the challenge of continually testing herself against rivals in an event that has soared to new heights recently thanks to the record-breaking performances from American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol of the Netherlands. Russell has made the last two Olympic Games finals, finishing just outside the podium in 2021 in Tokyo. Knowing her constant battles with injuries, Russell is preparing herself for another shot at the final.

“Every experience is different. I am just happy to be here. I just want to be in the final. It would be my third Olympic final. This experience feels new because there are new faces, new times coming out. The competition is getting harder and harder each time,” Russell said. “I have always been battling injuries, so I have been keeping it in the back of my head. I have to come with a game face because I am representing my country and myself, and I am just really proud to raise the flag.”