Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman, two of the biggest names in American track and field, made headlines off the track when they confirmed their romantic relationship in early 2025. Known for their fiery competitive spirits and world-class speed, the couple surprised fans by going public at the USATF Night of Legends. Cozy photos and affectionate gestures ended months of speculation. Since then, their relationship has been both high-profile and complex, marked by public declarations of love, viral social media moments, and, more recently, controversy following a domestic dispute. So, who is Coleman, and how did he and Richardson connect? Here’s what to know.
Who is Christian Coleman, Sha’Carri Richardson’s track star boyfriend?
Christian Coleman rose swiftly through the ranks as one of the world’s premier sprinters. Born March 6, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, he broke onto the national stage during his time at the University of Tennessee. His explosive speed and flawless technique culminated in a historic performance at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Coleman clinched gold in the 100 meters with a blistering 9.76s finish, the sixth-fastest time in history at that point.
In August 2025, Coleman spoke to Citius Mag about his “long year” with the sport. “I mean, transitioning from a new program where I was with my old coach for basically 10 years, I feel like I just had built up … bad habits, and my body just being in a certain routine,” he said after the 100/200 USATF Championships. Now, he’s working on “cleaning up those habits” and “learning new things, new techniques,” and “unlocking the formula for how to build speed.”
According to Vibe, Coleman and Richardson have been dating since 2023, though they made their relationship public in February 2025. While the exact origin of their romance remains private, their connection became visible during high-profile track meets and media appearances. In December 2024, they arrived at the USATF Night of Legends holding hands, prompting speculation about a potential relationship.
Is the couple still together?
It’s unclear whether Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman are still dating. Some reports suggested the athletes unfollowed each other on Instagram. However, as of August 2025, they appear to be following each other. Additionally, some fans thought Richardson’s social media posts hinted at a split. However, she has yet to confirm or deny whether she and Coleman are still an item.
A Reddit user posted that the couple broke up in early August, but several fans questioned the authenticity of the post. Some fans suggested that Richardson has a habit of posting ambiguous content about being single while still dating. With this in mind (along with Richardson’s arrest in July 2025), it’s more unclear than ever where the couple stands.
Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested on July 27, 2025, at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport on a charge of fourth-degree domestic violence after an altercation with her boyfriend, Christian Coleman. According to police reports and surveillance footage from TMZ, Richardson allegedly yanked at Coleman’s backpack, pushed him into a wall, and threw an object at him during the dispute. She was detained and held for nearly 19 hours before being released the next day, as Coleman declined to press charges and did not consider himself a victim of the incident
“I feel like it was just a sucky situation all around,” Coleman told Citius Mag. “I don’t feel as if she should have been arrested. You know what I’m saying? People have discussions and emotions and stuff like that. And she has things that she needs to work on for herself, of course. So do I, so do you, like, everybody. I’m the type of guy that I’m in the business of extending grace and mercy and love.”
He went on to call Richardson a “great person” and “the best female athlete in the world.”
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