Christian Coleman breaks silence after arrest of girlfriend Sha’Carri Richardson
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 05.08.25. | 15:31
Police reports indicated that Richardson pushed Coleman into a column and later threw a pair of headphones at him as the couple argued after exiting airport security
Former world 100m champion Christian Coleman has jumped to the defense of his girlfriend, Sha’Carri Richardson, following her arrest on Sunday, 27 July, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport over an alleged domestic incident.
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The 25-year-old, one of the world’s top female sprinters and the reigning 100m world champion, was taken into custody after what authorities described as a heated altercation with Coleman.
Police reports indicated that Sha’Carri pushed Coleman into a column and later threw a pair of headphones at him as the couple argued after exiting airport security.
Coleman reportedly tried to walk away from the situation several times, but according to law enforcement, Sha’Carri followed and escalated the situation.
Despite the allegations, Coleman refused to press charges and told police he “declined to be a victim.”
Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident, Coleman expressed his disappointment in how the situation was handled.
“For me personally, I feel like it was a sucky situation all around. I don't feel like she should have been arrested. I mean, people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that,” Coleman said, as reported by USA Today.
The 2019 100m world champion acknowledged that Sha’Carri has endured immense pressure throughout her career and hinted that the emotional toll might have played a role in the incident.
“She has things that she needs to work on for herself. So do I, so do you, so does everybody. But I'm the type of guy who's in the business of extending grace, mercy, and love,” he continued.
Sha’Carri was booked at the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Washington, and released the following day. The incident occurred just hours before both sprinters took part in the 2025 U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
However, the incident seemed to cast a shadow over their performances. Coleman failed to qualify for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo after finishing fifth in the men’s 100m and sixth in the 200m.
Sha’Carri, who had already secured a spot in the 100m at Worlds as the defending champion, withdrew from the event after the first round. She also failed to qualify for the 200m final.
Despite the turmoil, Coleman had nothing but praise for Sha’Carri.
“She’s a human being and a great person. To me, she’s the best female athlete in the world. I see it every day,” he said.
The couple, who have been dating for over two years but only went public with their relationship earlier this year, now find themselves in the spotlight for reasons beyond the track.
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The incident adds to a list of off-track controversies that have followed Sha’Carri in recent years, including her suspension from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics over a positive marijuana test and an in-flight dispute in 2023.
