Who is Sha’Carri Richardson?
Sha’Carri Richardson is an American track and field sprinter who has captivated the world with her incredible speed and bold personality. She specializes in the 100-meter and 200-meter events. Currently, she is in the news for her participation in the USA Track & Field Championships 2025 and for an airport incident involving her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, which led to her arrest and a public apology. Richardson is that her distinctive style, including her long nails and colorful hair, is inspired by the legendary sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner. She was raised by her grandmother and aunt, who served as her first running coach.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sha’Carri LaNay Richardson |
| Profession | Professional Sprinter (Track & Field) |
| Known For | 100 m / 200 m sprinting, Olympic & World medals |
| Age | 25 (as of August 2025) |
| Date of Birth | March 25, 2000 |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Years Active | Turned pro in June 2019 |
| Hometown | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Educational Qualification | Graduated from Carter High School, attended Louisiana State University |
| Hobbies | Fashion & style (bold aesthetics) |
| Marital Status | In a relationship |
| Current Boyfriend | Christian Coleman |
Early Life & Education
Sha’Carri Richardson was born in Dallas, Texas. She was raised by her grandmother, Betty Harp, and her aunt. Her grandmother, whom Richardson refers to as her “foundation” and most devoted fan, was a significant influence in her life. Richardson’s talent for sprinting was evident early on, and she attended Carter High School, where she won state titles in both the 100m and 200m events. She later attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where she competed for the LSU Lady Tigers track and field team.
Physical Appearance
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Height: 5 ft 1 in (155 cm)
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Weight: Not publicly disclosed
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Eye Colour: Not specified
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Hair Colour: Frequently changes often colorful, inspired by Florence Griffith-Joyner
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Tattoos: None publicly noted
Career Journey
Sha’Carri Richardson’s career breakthrough came during her freshman year at Louisiana State University in 2019. At the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she broke the collegiate record for the 100m with a time of 10.75 seconds. She turned professional later that year and signed with Nike.
Her career milestones include:
- 2019: Won The Bowerman Award, the highest honor in collegiate track and field.
- 2023: Became the national champion in the 100m sprint at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She also won her first gold in the 100m sprint and a bronze in the 200m sprint at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She was a key member of the gold-winning 4x100m relay team.
- 2024: Won a silver medal in the 100m event and a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympic Games.
- 2025: Is a part-owner and athlete-advisor for the professional track league, ATHLOS, which will launch its team-based competition model in 2026.
Sha’Carri Richardson Relationships
- Christian Coleman (current): As of early 2025, Richardson’s current boyfriend is fellow sprinter Christian Coleman. They made their relationship public in early 2025. They have been seen together at track events and on social media, with Richardson posting affectionate photos and videos. They also walked the red carpet together at the 2024 USATF Night of Legends Awards. In July 2025, Richardson was arrested following a domestic dispute with Coleman at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Coleman declined to press charges, and the case was cleared. Richardson later issued a public apology to Coleman.
- Janeek Brown (2019-2022): Richardson was previously in a relationship with Jamaican hurdler Janeek Brown. After their split, Richardson made allegations of abuse and theft against Brown, who admitted to one instance of abuse in response.
- Identifies as bisexual: Richardson publicly stated that she identifies as bisexual in 2021. She has also given a shout-out to the LGBTQ+ community on Twitter.
Sha’Carri Richardson Controversy
2021 Tokyo Olympics suspension
- Richardson was suspended for one month after testing positive for cannabis following her win in the 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June 2021.
- This positive test nullified her win and made her ineligible to compete in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics, according to Olympics.com.
- Richardson stated she used marijuana to cope with the recent death of her biological mother.
- The suspension sparked debate about marijuana’s status as a banned substance, especially given its legality in many U.S. states.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reviewed cannabis’s status in 2022 but upheld the policy.
American Airlines incident
- In 2023, Richardson was removed from an American Airlines flight following a dispute with a flight attendant.
Domestic violence incident (2025)
- On July 27, 2025, Richardson was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport following an altercation with her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman.
- Security footage reportedly showed Richardson pushing Coleman and throwing an item at him.
- Coleman declined to press charges and did not want to participate in the investigation, according to The Cut.
- Richardson was released the following day and later issued a public apology to Coleman, citing past trauma and pain.
- Coleman has publicly defended Richardson and downplayed the incident, emphasizing her struggles and his belief that she should not have been arrested.
Family Details
| Family Member | Relationship to Sha’Carri Richardson | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Betty Harp | Grandmother | Raised Sha’Carri and is considered her “foundation” and “superwoman”. Flew on a plane for the first time to watch Sha’Carri compete. |
| Shayaria Richardson | Aunt | Helped raise Sha’Carri and served as her first track coach. Sha’Carri refers to her as “mom”. |
| Biological Mother | Mother | Died in 2021, a week before the US Olympic Trials. Sha’Carri expressed gratitude for “giving me life”. |
| Biological Father | Father | No public information available. |
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: Around $4 million as of mid-2025.
- Main Sources of Income: Endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, Olay, and Oikos. She also earns money from competition winnings. Her professional track pay is estimated to be around $45,000 to $50,000 per year.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @itsshacarri | 4.1 million | |
| Twitter/X | @itsshacarri | 484K |
| itsshacarri | 1 million |
Lesser Known Facts
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Raised by her grandmother and aunt, with her aunt serving as her first coach.
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A vivid personal style, inspired by Florence Griffith-Joyner.
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Began running competitively in middle school and junior events.
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Went pro after just one year at LSU.
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Came out as bisexual publicly in 2021.
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Loves fashion and bringing flair to sport with nails and hair.
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First major NCAA break came at age 19 with a collegiate record.
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Known for resilience bounced back from setbacks to claim world titles.
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Heads into Tokyo 2025 Worlds with a “never back, only better” mentality.
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Advocates for mental health and personal growth.
Latest Updates
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Based in the U.S. (exact location not disclosed).
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Scheduled to headline the 2025 Prefontaine Classic.
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Despite withdrawing from U.S. Championships post-arrest, holds automatic 100 m entry into World Championships in Tokyo as reigning World Champion.
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Recently issued a public apology and commitment to seek help, signaling personal growth.
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Likely to compete in Tokyo 2025 World Championships later this year.
FAQs
Q1. What is Sha’Carri Richardson’s age?
She is 25 years old (born March 25, 2000).
Q2. Is Sha’Carri Richardson married?
No, she is not married, she is in a relationship with sprinter Christian Coleman.
Q3. Who is Sha’Carri Richardson dating now in 2025?
She is in a relationship with fellow sprinter Christian Coleman.
Q4. What does Sha’Carri Richardson do for a living?
She is a professional track-and-field sprinter, specializing in the 100 m and 200 m sprints.
Q5. What is Sha’Carri Richardson’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around $4 million as of mid-2025
Q6. What is Sha’Carri Richardson known for?
Breaking sprinting records, winning World and Olympic medals, and bold fashion statements.
Q7. What are Sha’Carri Richardson’s latest projects in 2025?
Headlining the women’s 100 m at the Prefontaine Classic; preparing for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Q8. Has Sha’Carri Richardson been involved in any controversies?
Yes, she was suspended in 2021 for marijuana use and arrested in July 2025 after a domestic altercation at an airport.
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