In a pair of social media posts on Monday and Tuesday, Sha’Carri Richardson addressed her supporters and made a public apology to boyfriend Christian Coleman in her first formal statement of her recent domestic violence arrest.
Richardson, 25, was arrested in a Seattle airport on July 27 and charged in an incident after security footage shows her striking Coleman several times and throwing headphones as he attempted to walk away.
In her posts, Richardson assures her fans that she takes accountability for the matter and also affirmed to Coleman that she is sorry and credits him with showing her unconditional love.
“I apologize to Christian,” the post read. “He came into my life & gave me more than a relationship but a greater understanding of unconditional love from what I’ve experienced in my past.”
Richardson first broke her silence on Monday with a video that seemed to be directed toward her fans as she described placing herself in a “compromised situation.” But she also alluded to seeking out help and finding “self-reflection” in the weeks since the arrest.
“I refuse to run away, but face everything that comes to me head on,” she said in the closing remarks of the video.
While the incident was captured on airport security video, news of the arrest was no widely known until the second day of the USA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on August 1 — five days later.
Richardson was expected to compete in the women’s 100m and 200m qualifying rounds but withdrew from the 100m. She still has a bye into world championships in the event in Tokyo in September since she is the reigning world title holder following her 2023 win in Budapest. Richardson competed in the women’s 200m at the USATF Championships but did not make the final.
In her post on Tuesday, Richardson addressed Coleman directly in a public apology.
“Due to my past trauma & pain. I was blind & blocked off to not only receive it but give it,” her post read. “I love him & to him I can’t apologize enough.”
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On the final day of competition at the USATF Outdoor Championships, Coleman spoke on the incident and seemed supportive of Richardson.
“I don’t feel like she should have been arrested,” Coleman said. “I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that. She has things that she needs to work on for herself — of course. So do I, so do you, so does everybody. But I’m the type of guy who’s in the business of extending grace, and mercy and love.”
