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Olympic sprinter Christian Coleman is standing by his girlfriend, Sha'Carri Richardson, following her recent arrest for domestic violence. The 25-year-old was taken into custody on Sunday, July 27, at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after an alleged physical altercation involving Coleman.
Authorities allege that Richardson shoved Coleman several times, causing him to stumble into a nearby pillar, and at one point, is said to have thrown a pair of headphones in his direction. Surveillance footage also appeared to show her bumping into him repeatedly as he tried to walk away. She was booked at the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Washington, and released the next day.
Despite being identified as the victim, Coleman declined to press charges. Speaking publicly for the first time after the incident, he addressed the media following his race at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
"For me personally, I feel like it was a sucky situation all around," Coleman said. "I don't feel like she should have been arrested. I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that." He added, "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."
Coleman also acknowledged that he attempted to reason with authorities during the arrest. "Even talking to the cop, he was like, 'There's nothing I can do.' I understood," he said. "But like I said, it was just a sucky situation."
Both athletes competed in the U.S. championships shortly after the incident. Coleman, 29, failed to qualify for the World Championships, placing fifth in the 100-meter and sixth in the 200-meter. Richardson, who already has an automatic entry into the 100-meter race as the reigning world champion, did not qualify for the 200-meter final after finishing fourth in her heat.
While Richardson has not commented publicly, Coleman shared reflections on her emotional struggles. "She has a lot of things going on. A lot of emotions and forces going on inside of her that not only I can't understand, but nobody can. Because she's one of one." He added, "She's a human being and a great person... to me she's the best female athlete in the world. I see it every day."