American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson accused of sending boyfriend Christian Coleman 'flying few feet away', released after arrest

US sprint champion Sha'Carri Richardson was arrested on Sunday night for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Christian Coleman at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, just days before the US Track and Field Championships in Oregon. The 25-year-old world champion was detained and released on Monday following the incident, which police described as domestic violence.

Port of Seattle Police reported that security video footage showed Richardson engaged in a verbal altercation with Coleman after passing through security screening. The footage captured the incident in detail.

"Richardson is following and getting close to Coleman several times as Coleman appears to be trying to walk away," the police report stated. "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."

The report detailed that Richardson threw headphones at Coleman, who declined to participate in the investigation and "declined to be a victim."

Following the incident, USA Track and Field officials announced Richardson had initially withdrawn from her remaining 100m rounds and Sunday's 200m events. However, they later confirmed she changed her mind about the 200m competition.

"She initially told us she would not run in the 200m, but she never formally scratched. She has since informed us she will now enter the 200m," a USATF spokesperson confirmed.

Richardson, who spoke to journalists on Thursday after her opening 100m heat, made no mention of the arrest and was not questioned about it.

As the defending world champion, Richardson has already secured a spot in the World Championships in Tokyo for the 100m event, making her participation in Eugene optional.

Richardson expressed relief about her pre-qualified status during Thursday's interview. "USA is one of the hardest teams to make, so it definitely is a kind of a release of pressure knowing I have a bye," she told AFP. "It feels really good to not have that pressure and still be able to go to Tokyo."

She added: "Right now I'm cruising under the radar, but when it's time to hit -- it's going to be a bang where y'all see my name."

This incident adds to Richardson's history of controversies. She was previously barred from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana following her US trials victory, which occurred while she was grieving her biological mother's death. In 2023, she was removed from an American Airlines flight following a dispute with a flight attendant.

The developments coincided with other significant withdrawals from the championships. Men's 100m world champion Noah Lyles pulled out of the remaining rounds of the short sprint but will compete in the 200m on Sunday. Additionally, Olympic women's 200m champion Gabby Thomas withdrew from the remainder of the 100m events to focus on the 200m competition.