Sha’Carri Richardson opens up on domestic violence controversy involving Christian Coleman

Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson publicly addressed her recent domestic violence arrest and issued an apology to her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman, in a series of social media posts.

Richardson posted a video on Instagram Monday night acknowledging that she put herself in a “compromised situation” and pledged to face the consequences of her actions. She followed up with a written apology on Tuesday morning.

“I love him & to him I can’t apologize enough,” Richardson wrote in all capital letters on Instagram, emphasizing that her apology “should be just as loud” as her “actions.” “To Christian I love you & I am so sorry,” she added.

What happened at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport?

Richardson was arrested on July 27 on a fourth-degree domestic violence charge for allegedly assaulting Coleman at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. She was booked into the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Washington, for over 18 hours. The incident occurred just days before Richardson competed in the 100 meters at the U.S. Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Christian Coleman looks on after the Xfinity Men’s 200m final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on August 03, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

According to the police report, a Transportation Security Administration supervisor alerted authorities to a disturbance involving Richardson and Coleman. Video footage reportedly showed Richardson grabbing Coleman’s backpack, blocking his path, and shoving him into a wall. The report also indicated that Richardson threw an item, possibly headphones, at Coleman. Coleman declined to participate in the investigation as a victim.

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Richardson’s reflection and apology

In her Instagram video, Richardson said she is practicing self-reflection and refuses “to run away but face everything that comes to me head on.” She described Coleman as someone who has provided her with “a greater understanding of unconditional love from what I’ve experienced in my past.”

Richardson’s career highlights

Despite the recent controversy, Richardson remains one of the top sprinters in the world. She won gold with the USA in the women’s 4x100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics, secured the 100m title at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, and earned silver in the 100m at the Paris Games last summer. She previously missed the Tokyo 2021 Olympics due to a positive marijuana test at the U.S. Olympic trials.