Controversy stalks talented Richardson

Sha'Carri Richardson’s talent is not in doubt as her stunning 100 metres world title in 2023 proved, but the American star is also like a moth to a flame when it comes to controversy.

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The 25-year-old just cannot escape sparking headlines off the track.

Richardson was controversially barred from the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana following her victory at the US trials.

She arrives in Tokyo for the defence of the world crown on the back of another headline-making incident.

She spent a night in jail after being arrested for domestic violence when she had an altercation with her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Christian Coleman, at an airport before this year’s US trials in August.

She was scratched from the 100m at the trials and failed to reach the final in the 200m, but her place in the team for Tokyo was assured as a defending champion, although her best 100m time this season of 11.05sec leaves her way outside the favourites.

Coleman, who will be in Japan too as a member of the men’s sprint relay team, refused to press charges and defended her.

“She has things that she needs to work on for herself of course. So doI, so do you, so does everybody,’ he told AFP.