Sha’Carri Richardson turns 25: A look at her evolution with Christian Coleman by her side

Sha'Carri Richardson's rise to become a global superstar has no doubt been impacted by Christian Coleman, who has been dating her for a number of years now.

When Sha’Carri Richardson anchored Team USA to the 4x100m relay gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest as a 23-year-old, she was swiftly embraced by Christian Coleman in a manner that raised eyebrows. 

Unlike the usual quick post-race hugs, theirs was unusually cozy, sparking speculation among track and field fans about the nature of their relationship.

That championship was a defining moment in Richardson's career, as she cemented her status as a world-class athlete. 

She finally captured her maiden individual title, stunning Shericka Jackson to claim the 100m gold from lane nine. It was a triumphant chapter in her journey, one that contrasted sharply with her struggles in previous years.

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Before her resurgence, Richardson endured personal and professional setbacks. She had been in an abusive relationship with Jamaican sprinter Janeek Brown, an ordeal she later opened up about in 2022.

“I was abused and stolen from yet protected her from the judgment of her country & family while they dragged me. I had to deal with homophobia and so much more that I’m still healing from,” she revealed at the time.

That same year, she struggled to regain form after serving a 2021 suspension for testing positive for marijuana ahead of the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

 Missing out on the 2022 World Championships in Eugene only deepened her disappointment. However, her resurgence in 2023 seemed to coincide with her growing bond with Coleman.

Since then, their relationship has been the subject of continued speculation, fueled by their frequent appearances together. 

At the 2024 Olympics, where Richardson won two medals, she was also frequently seen with Coleman off the track in Paris. With her improvement, it does not look like a coincidence Coleman also decided to make drastic changes to also improve.

Although he is a star in his own right, being the 2019 100m world champion and 60m world record holder, he has struggled to return to his best since coming back from a two year ban in 2023 for skipping a doping test.

He joined the Dennis Mitchell-led Star Athletics Club in Florida in July 2024 shortly after missing out on the Olympics in both the 100 and 200 meters, a camp Richardson is also associated with. 

Last September, he credited the move with making him “feel good” about his progress—and it also brought him closer to his then-rumored girlfriend.

Richardson, in a December 2024 interview with Essence, alluded to the influential figures in her life but refrained from mentioning Coleman directly. However, her words strongly hinted at his presence in her journey.

“I feel like my faith is something that as long as I keep that, everything else will have a domino effect and will follow,” she stated. “I love my family and them reminding me of who I am no matter what is going on.”

Yet, it was her remarks about her partner that stood out the most: “I also appreciate my relationship (with) my person that continues on a day-to-day basis, helps me just see who I am, critiques me, lets me know my rights, my wrongs.”

On February 9, 2025, during Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans, the pair finally confirmed their relationship, ending years of speculation. 

Their romance had long been a topic of discussion, thanks to their numerous public appearances and social media interactions.

Their bond was once again on display at the 6th annual Christian Coleman Invitational, where Richardson not only showed up to support her partner but actively participated in making the event memorable. 

The duo signed a fan’s Nike spikes, posed for photos, and even FaceTimed an athlete’s mother at her request, leaving a lasting impression.

Reflecting on his journey, Coleman expressed his gratitude and ambition: “I’m excited to be exactly where I am right now in my career. And it’s pretty cool stuff. So I’m just blessed, man.”

Looking ahead, Coleman remains determined: “I feel like this year is a good opportunity for me, like going to the World Championships. And then next year, and then another World Championships. And I feel like hopefully, I can just build a lot of momentum and carry that on into 2028.”

Richardson, now 25, shares a similar mindset—one that has propelled her to the pinnacle of sprinting. With Coleman by her side, she is set on continuing her dominance, proving that on and off the track, they are a formidable duo.