Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has said she plans to seek help following her arrest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on 27 July. The incident stemmed from a physical confrontation with her boyfriend, fellow US sprinter Christian Coleman.
Security video reviewed by police showed Richardson appearing to grab Coleman's backpack and shove him towards a wall as he attempted to move through the terminal. She was arrested and later released.
In an Instagram post on Monday night, Richardson said she was taking time for self-reflection and to get help. “I’m taking this time to not only see myself but get myself a certain level of help that overall is going to reflect who I truly am in my heart and my spirit,” she said.
Richardson, 25, won silver in the 100m at the Paris Olympics and was part of the gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team. She also issued a public apology to Coleman, saying she was “blind and blocked off” due to past trauma and pain, and that she loved him.
Coleman told The Athletic that he did not believe Richardson should have been arrested, describing the situation as “sucky” and adding that she is “a human being, and a great person” with many emotions and forces inside her.
