Sha'Carri Richardson's ‘domestic violence' drama overshadows US trials

Straits Times

3 days ago

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– US sprint star Sha'Carri Richardson was at the centre of a new controversy on Aug 1, after it emerged she was arrested for allegedly assaulting boyfriend Christian Coleman shortly before this week's US Track and Field Championships in Oregon.
Police in Washington State said the 25-year-old 100m world champion was detained on July 27 after clashing with Coleman as the couple travelled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
An account of Richardson's arrest report by Port of Seattle Police said security video footage captured Richardson in a verbal altercation with Coleman as the duo exited a security screening.
'Richardson is following and getting close to Coleman several times as Coleman appears to be trying to walk away,' the report reads.
'Richardson then pushes Coleman hard enough that it sends him crashing into a nearby column... she again pushes Coleman, again hard enough that it sends him flying a few feet away.'
Richardson is then seen throwing a set of headphones at Coleman, who did not want to participate in the investigation and 'declined to be a victim'.
She was detained and released on July 28 following the incident, which the police report described as domestic violence.
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News of Richardson's arrest came as USA Track & Field (USATF) officials said she had pulled out from her remaining 100m rounds as well as the 200m on July 3.
However, USATF officials later confirmed that Richardson – who has already qualified for the 100m at September's Tokyo World Championships – had changed her mind and would now race in the 200m.
'She initially told us she would not run in the 200m, but she never formally scratched. She has since informed us she will now enter the 200m,' a USATF spokesperson said.
It is just the latest controversy to embroil Richardson during her career. She was infamously barred from competing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana after her victory at the US trials, as she grieved the death of her biological mother.
In 2023, she was removed from an American Airlines flight after an argument with a flight attendant.
The Texan star had given no clue of her latest controversy as she spoke to journalists on July 31, following her opening 100m heat. She did not mention her arrest earlier in the week and was not asked about it.
As a defending world champion, Richardson already has a bye for the world championships in Japan for the 100m, and was under no obligation to race in Eugene this week.
She said she had been happy to compete in Eugene knowing that her place on the team for Tokyo was already assured.
'It feels really good to not have that pressure and still be able to go to Tokyo,' she said.
Richardson's dramatic day came as men's 100m world champion Noah Lyles withdrew from the remaining rounds of the short sprint. Lyles, who is also already qualified for Tokyo, will race in the 200m on July 3.
Olympic women's 200m champion Gabby Thomas withdrew from the 100m, which Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won in 10.65sec, and will focus on the 200m. AFP