In a surprising sprint away from the podium and straight into legal drama, 100m world champion Sha’Carri Richardson has been arrested for allegedly turning her airport departure into a domestic decathlon.
The 25-year-old sprinter, best known for blistering track performances and roasting rivals on social media, was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma Airport last Sunday for allegedly assaulting fellow sprinter, and, tragically, boyfriend, Christian Coleman, in what police have diplomatically referred to as a “fourth-degree domestic violence offence”, and others might call “an unauthorised relay exchange”.
According to a police report, a TSA supervisor spotted what was either a lovers’ quarrel or a failed attempt at synchronised baggage handling. CCTV footage allegedly shows Richardson grabbing Coleman’s backpack like it was the last lane draw, then getting in his way before giving him a loving shove into a nearby wall, perhaps to test his agility ahead of the next meet.
Coleman, in a bold tactical retreat, refused to press charges, presumably opting for a quiet jog in the opposite direction.
In what can only be described as poetic timing, Richardson was released the next day just in time to run in the USATF Championships in Oregon, proving once again that nothing gets between her and a starting gun. Not even a booking number.
USATF has released a statement saying “no comment”, which is athletics-speak for “please let this blow over before Tokyo”.
Richardson retains an automatic place in the upcoming World Championships, where she will attempt to defend her title and, ideally, not throw any headphones at her competitors.
