EUGENE
US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson was at the centre of a new controversy on Friday 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 Sunday night after clashing with Coleman as the couple travelled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
An account of Richardson’s arrest report e-mailed to AFP 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,” the officer’s report reads.
Richardson was detained and released on Monday following the incident, which the police report described as domestic violence.
News of Richardson’s arrest came as USA Track and Field officials said she had scratched from her remaining 100m rounds as well as Sunday’s 200m.
