Sha’Carri Richardson Makes Heartbreaking USATF Nationals Decision After Seattle Arrest 

Entering the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships, Sha’Carri Richardson wasn’t to be fazed. The newcomer had already faced the worst as she stood outside of the two automatic spots with 10.84 seconds in her heat against Shericka Jackson (10.65) and Marie-Josee Ta Lou (10.75). However, she still got a nod for the finals. And that was her moment to run into the spotlight. 

Richardson, on the final lane, raced toe-to-toe alongside the field after the whistle blew. As the final five meters remained, she further accelerated, winning in a championship record of 10.65. She also won an automatic bid to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo as she announced, “I told you all. I’m not back, I’m better.” 

Fast forward to Thursday’s 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, the reigning 100m world champion posted a season‑best of 11.07s in the preliminary rounds. Her third race of the year was also her best time despite the bump in Seattle regarding a fourth-degree alleged domestic assault charge, focusing boyfriend, Christian Coleman. It was a good comeback for Sha’Carri Richardson on Thursday. However, instead of moving ahead in the competition, Richardson gave a heartbreaking update.

Earlier today, reporter Serenity Douglas tweeted, “Just been told that Sha’Carri is done competing at trials. That includes her 200 that would’ve been run on Sunday. No more details have been provided, but wishing her nothing but the best 🫶🏾” 

While the reason isn’t known, it can be assumed that the preliminary rounds were a practice session for the reigning 100m World champion. According to reports, Richardson chose to withdraw from the 100m semifinals and the 200m events.

After her Thursday round, Richardson was quite happy, explaining her decision to participate. “Just wanting to come out here and, like I said, just be a competitor.” But there’s another buildup to this story with an update.

Update: Reporter Chris Chavez later tweeted, “Sha’Carri Richardson WILL run the 200m at the USATF Outdoor Championships. The first round is Sunday at 12:32 p.m. PT. She scratched from the 100m semifinals today. She already has her spot for the World Championships in the 100m as the reigning gold medalist. Richardson initially informed officials that she was not going to run the 200m but has since informed them that she is planning to race.”

It will be interesting to see how Richardson performs tomorrow as she runs in the 200m race. Right now, she doesn’t have an automatic qualifier for the same. In 2023, she stood third behind Jamaica’s Gabby Thomas, and the winner, Shericka Jackson. 

Top Comment by ZeeZee

A bump in the road.

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Debate

She certainly wants to bring her best on the track, but her personal life has also been a roller coaster, specifically in the past few days.

Behind Sha’Carri Richardson’s arrest

What began as a routine evening at the airport took a serious turn when the Olympic silver medalist was arrested in Seattle on a fourth-degree alleged domestic assault charge. Back on Sunday night, Richardson and her boyfriend, Coleman, made their way through the airport security. However, just past them, the two got into a verbal dispute, leading to Richardson shoving Coleman. When he returned, she shoved him again. As he made his way back to the security, Richardson threw a pair of headphones on him and apparently wounded him.

Reports suggest Coleman refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim.” Still, the surveillance footage and the policeman who arrested the sprinter were seemingly enough proof to detain Richardson overnight.

Christian Coleman, when interviewed, also told Port of Seattle police he had a heated argument with Sha’Carri Richardson. But he denied any physicality and refused to cooperate further. However, this is not to say that the sprinters are not focusing on their careers. Coleman, too, reached the finals of his event and Richardson is already on her way to her checkpoint for the 200m event.