Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson Apologizes to Boyfriend Christian Coleman After Domestic Violence Arrest

Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson is taking accountability for her actions.

In the wake of her domestic violence arrest, the Olympian offered a public apology to her boyfriend, Christian Coleman.

“I apologize to Christian. He came into my life and gave me more than a relationship but a greater understanding of unconditional love from what I’ve experienced in my past,” Richardson, 25, wrote via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, August 12. “Due to past trauma and pain, I was blind and blocked off to not only receive it but give it. I love him and to him, I can’t apologize enough.”

She continued, “My apology should be just as loud as my actions, honestly louder. To Christian, I love you and I am so sorry.”

On July 27, Richardson was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after an incident with Coleman, 29.

According to a police report obtained by The New York Times, an arresting officer witnessed Richardson allegedly shove Coleman multiple times as the sprinter walked away from his girlfriend. The incident was also allegedly caught on a security camera.

Coleman refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim,” per the report.

“For me personally, I feel like it was a sucky situation all round,” Coleman told reporters on August 3. “I don’t feel like she should have been arrested. I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that.”

The case — which was first reported by LetsRun.com — has since been cleared, but not before Richardson spent nearly 19 hours in custody at the SCORE South Correctional Entity in Washington.

In a separate Instagram Story, Richardson promised her followers that she was “holding myself accountable.”

“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 and not allowing this moment — but accepting this moment — to be more,” she said on Monday, August 11.

Richardson expressed appreciation for her family and fans for holding her accountable “to being my best self.”

“More than anything, I refuse to run away but face everything that comes to me head-on,” she added, “because everything on the other side is greater but you gotta go through in order to get there.”

Richardson earned a silver medal in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also was part of Team USA’s gold-medal winning 4×100-relay team. Most recently, the athlete competed in the U.S. track and field championships, which was held in July.