Simone Biles Rips Wall Street Journal for Using a Photo of a Different Gymnast in an Article About Her
Tom Weller/AP
Biles made her return to the world championship competition in Belgium last week. The 26-year-old – who took a two-year break to focus on her mental health – showed no signs of rust and added four more gold medals to her historic resume.
In WSJ’s coverage of the achievement, however, it committed the journalistic sin of depicting someone else in its featured photo. Instead of Biles, the article showed fellow American gymnast Shilese Jones.
Seemingly as soon as she woke up in Europe, Biles was quick to point out the error.
“This picture isn’t even me… Try again,” Biles tweeted.
this picture isn’t even me…….. try again https://t.co/2OnBDCyJyE
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) October 9, 2023
A few hours later, the publication’s Twitter account responded to Biles to let her know the correction was made.
We have corrected the photo in the story and on social media.
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 9, 2023
The original tweet was then deleted, though many users were able to get screenshots to call out WSJ for the mistake.
How is it that Simone Biles is one of the most famous and recognizable people in the world yet the Wall Street journal and so many in the press keep posting pictures of Shilese Jones👇🏿. We don’t all look alike. It’s embarrassing and infuriating. pic.twitter.com/r3CZDSDyVU
— Maurice W (@iamMauriceW) October 10, 2023
37 World & Olympic medals and they still can’t find a picture of her?? 🫠
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast of ALL TIME.
The Wall Street Journal (with 20 million followers) couldn’t double check their post to see that was Shilese Jones.
Please do better. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/JcmISyfTBB
— The Sportess (@TheSportess) October 9, 2023
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