Sha’Carri Richardson Withdraws from US Trials Following Arrest
US sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson has withdrawn from the US Track and Field Championships amid news of her recent arrest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The reigning world 100m champion was detained by police on Sunday, only to be released the following day, though details regarding any charges remain unclear.
Richardson, one of the biggest names in American sprinting, had just competed in the opening heats of the women’s 100m on Thursday, clocking a season-best time of 11.07 seconds. Despite her impressive performance, the announcement of her arrest has overshadowed her participation in the championships, and USA Track and Field confirmed that she would not continue in the competition.
The 25-year-old athlete, who gained notoriety after being barred from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to a positive marijuana test, appeared upbeat and confident following her heat, joking with reporters about her form as she prepared for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. She did not mention her recent legal issues during the interview.
As a defending world champion, Richardson had already secured her spot for the World Championships and was not obligated to compete in Eugene. However, her withdrawal from both the 100m and the upcoming 200m events has left her name still listed for the latter, raising questions about her status in the competition.
Richardson expressed relief prior to her withdrawal, stating, “USA is one of the hardest teams to make, so it definitely is a kind of a release of pressure knowing I have a bye.” She conveyed a sense of readiness for the World Championships, promising that when it was time to compete, she would make a significant impact.
Her exit from the trials comes alongside the withdrawal of other top athletes, including men’s 100m world champion Noah Lyles, who will still compete in the 200m, and Olympic women’s 200m champion Gabby Thomas, who has chosen to focus solely on the 200m.
