Olympic and world champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been arrested in Florida on charges related to dangerous and excessive speeding, according to jail booking records.
Arrest follows alleged 104mph driving
The 25-year-old American was booked into Orange County Jail on Thursday evening and charged with driving at “excessive speed of 100mph or more”.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Richardson was allegedly travelling at 104mph while tailgating and changing lanes to overtake other vehicles. Reports from CBS News and Reuters confirmed the details.
Her bond was reportedly set at $500 (£363).
Recent success on international stage
Richardson remains one of the leading figures in women’s sprinting. She won silver in the 100m at the Paris Olympics and claimed gold as part of the USA’s 4x100m relay team.
She had earlier secured 100m gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, establishing herself as a global star.
Florida’s tougher speeding laws explained
The incident comes after Florida introduced stricter traffic regulations in July under the “Super Speeder” law.
Under the statute, drivers exceeding limits by more than 50mph can face fines of up to $1,000, mandatory court appearances, possible jail time and licence suspension for repeat offences.
Past controversies resurface
Richardson has previously faced setbacks away from the track. She missed the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana.
In August, she was also arrested following allegations of domestic violence. She was released the next day and later said she would seek professional help.
Despite these challenges, Richardson has continued to compete at the highest level in international athletics.
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