Reigning 100-meter world champion Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested last weekend at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on charges of fourth-degree domestic violence, according to a police report obtained by The Associated Press.
Newsweek reached out to Richardson’s agent and manager via email on Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
The arrest of one of track and field’s most prominent figures marks another controversial chapter in Richardson’s turbulent career.
This incident comes after her previous legal troubles, including a positive marijuana test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials that prevented her from competing at the Tokyo Olympics. Richardson’s pattern of off-track issues threatens to overshadow her athletic achievements and raises questions about athlete conduct standards.
What To Know
The 25-year-old sprinter was booked into the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) in Des Moines, Washington, at 6:54 p.m. local time Sunday and released Monday at 1:13 p.m.
Despite the arrest, Richardson competed Thursday in the opening round of the women’s 100 meters at the U.S. track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon.
According to the police report, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) supervisor notified airport officers of a disturbance between Richardson and her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman.
Airport surveillance footage reportedly showed Richardson grabbing Coleman’s backpack and yanking it away, then appearing to block his path as he attempted to move around her. The report indicates Coleman was shoved into a wall, and Richardson appeared to throw an item—potentially headphones—at Coleman.
Coleman, also a world-class sprinter and former world champion, declined to participate further in the investigation and declined to be considered a victim in the case. Richardson’s athletic resume includes winning the 100 meters at the 2023 world championships in Budapest, earning silver at the Paris Olympics, and contributing to the U.S. 4×100 relay team’s Olympic gold medal.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
USA Track and Field said in a statement: “USATF is aware of the reports and is not commenting on this matter.”
What Happens Next?
Richardson’s immediate competitive future appears unaffected, as she successfully advanced through the opening round of the 100 meters at the U.S. championships. Her automatic qualification for the world championships in Tokyo remains intact due to her defending champion status.
Fourth-degree domestic violence charges in Washington state are typically classified as gross misdemeanors, which can carry penalties including fines and potential jail time if convicted.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.