Olympic sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson has been arrested in the United States over what authorities described as “recklessly excessive” speeding, according to jail booking records from Florida.
The 25-year-old athlete was taken into custody on Thursday evening and booked into the Orange County Jail at about 7:39 pm local time. Records indicate that Richardson is facing a charge related to dangerous driving after allegedly exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour.
According to information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Richardson was clocked at 104 mph while driving on a public roadway. Law enforcement officials alleged that she was tailgating other vehicles and repeatedly changing lanes in order to overtake traffic.
Her bond was set at $500, equivalent to about £363, as listed in the jail records.
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Richardson is one of the most recognisable figures in global athletics. She won a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics and claimed gold as a member of the United States 4×100 metres relay team, further cementing her status as a leading figure in American sprinting.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of tougher traffic enforcement in Florida. In July, the state introduced stricter penalties for extreme speeding under a law commonly referred to as the “Super Speeder” law. The legislation allows for fines of up to $1,000, mandatory court appearances for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 miles per hour, possible jail terms, and licence suspension for repeat offenders.
This is not the first time Richardson has faced legal or disciplinary challenges. In August, she was arrested on allegations related to domestic violence but was released the following day. She later said she would seek help. Earlier in her career, she missed the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana, an incident that drew worldwide attention and debate.
Despite the controversies, Richardson has remained a central figure in international athletics. Her latest arrest, however, is likely to reignite scrutiny of the sprinter away from the track as investigations continue.
