Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested and charged with fourth-degree domestic violence assault after a verbal altercation with her boyfriend, fellow runner Christian Coleman, allegedly turned physical.
The Olympian was traveling with Coleman at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport in Seattle on Sunday, July 27, when the pair got into a fight as they left TSA airport security, according to a police report, per The New York Times.
The arresting officer allegedly witnessed the 25-year-old athlete push Coleman, 29, multiple times, before he fell into a nearby column, according to USA Today, citing the Seattle Police Department.
Airport security footage allegedly documented Coleman attempting to walk away from Richardson, but she kept bumping into him. Authorities also report that she threw a pair of headphones at him, USA Today reported.
Coleman refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim,” according to the NYT.
Richardson was booked at the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Wash. on Sunday, July 27. She was released on Monday, July 28, according to jail records obtained by PEOPLE.
“USATF is aware of the reports. We do not have a comment on this matter,” USA Track and Field (USATF) said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Representatives for Richardson and the Seattle Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.
Following her arrest, she and Coleman raced in the USATF Outdoor Championships preliminary rounds on Thursday, July 31. The championship rounds serve as a qualifying meet for the world championships.
Both advanced to the Thursday, July 31, final. On Friday, Aug. 1, she finished second in her heat in the 100 meters after she ran an 11.07, and advanced to Friday’s semifinal at the U.S. track and field championships.
Later, she withdrew from the 100 semifinal and will also not run in the 200-meter race. Although she withdrew from the race, she already has an automatic bid to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo because she is the reigning World Champion in the 100-meter race.
Prior to the recent events, Richardson won silver in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics and gold in the 4×100-meter women’s relay.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Posted by closetexistentialist
22 Comments
Ugh . Another day , another disappointment in people
Im late. I didn’t know they were dating.
Gross, ban her from the sport
Sha’Carri cmon we were rooting for you! Lord
another domestic abuser athlete.
I am glad it was made public. Women also use domestic violence.
>and will also not run in the 200-meter race
This is wrong. She’s reversed position on this and is running.
I’m definitely disappointed; I’ve been rooting hard for her for a while. Having her, Melissa, and TT together in the Olympics last year was just too much fun.
This is so deeply disappointing from her. I was rooting for her – like, a HUGE fan; I love running and following Track & Field, and as a casual sprinter, I adored her. This is disgusting behavior and quite honestly deserves some considerable consequences, because I can’t help but wonder how much worse things are behind closed doors. I just hope Christian Coleman is OK.
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My thoughts and support go to to Christian Coleman. What a frustrating and sad story all around.
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It’s past time that domestic abusers begin to face REAL consequences
idk why people are acting surprised and disappointed by her actions. she’s been problematic ever since she made homophobic tweets despite identifying as bisexual. stop idolizing people you don’t know, and maybe u won’t be disappointed.
Men get less empathy when it comes to demotic violence, if it was the other way round, his career would be over. No one should have to endure any violence of any sort in a relationship. Let’s keep the same energy regardless of the gender.
https://preview.redd.it/gzihy33fjmgf1.jpeg?width=1164&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02385c9ad907165478da98548d03626dd18441d9
Here’s the full account of what happened
I felt this way back with her first controversy but she doesn’t realize what she has to lose. She should not be in engaging in certain behaviors or putting herself in situations but seems like she doesn’t care . Hopefully the guy walks away from this relationship and she learns to keep her hands to herself
I don’t care how fast you can run, no one this problematic deserves to compete at the highest level. Between the homophobic tweets, her airplane freak out and now domestic abuse she’s had her 3 strikes. I hope Christian Coleman is doing alright
suddenly men will care about domestic violence again!
> Coleman refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim,” according to the NYT.
Idiot. Now shes being prosecuted on lesser charges. But it still counts for something if she does it again
>Coleman refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim.”
Up to him if he wants to press charges, but the whole “refuse to be a victim” thing reeks of how toxic masculinity hurts men too. You can be a victim of a crime, but it doesn’t have to define you as a victim. And it doesn’t make you weak.
This is good evidence for why the patriarchy harms men as well. Men don’t like to be labeled as victims of women, so they let their abusive partners get away with it.