Sha'Carri Richardson Arrested for Spousal Abuse

Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson decided to end her participation in the U.S. trials for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, following the revelation that she was arrested at Seattle airport last Sunday for domestic violence.

Richardson, who competed in the 100m heats at the US Trials on Thursday, has been invited to the Tokyo World Championships (September 13-21) as the reigning champion. The Texan decided on Friday to end her participation in the trials, thus not defending her chances in the 100m semifinals, nor this weekend in the 200m, which she will therefore not compete in Japan.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that the champion was being held in the Des Moines (Washington State) jail, near Seattle, from Sunday, July 27 at 6:54 p.m. local time to Monday, July 28 at 1:30 p.m.

The arrest report, sent to AFP by the Port of Seattle police, states that CCTV cameras captured an altercation after a security check between Richardson and his partner Christian Coleman, the 2019 100m world champion competing in the trials on Friday.

"Richardson follows Coleman, who tries to walk away. Richardson then pushes Coleman hard enough to knock him into a column. She then pushes him again hard enough to knock him several feet away," the report says.

Richardson then threw a headset at Coleman, who refused to participate in the investigation and "refused to appear as a victim." The sprinter's agents declined to comment on the case.

On Thursday, Richardson appeared smiling in the mixed zone after competing in the 100m heats and did not mention her arrest.