Olympic gymnastics star Simone Biles gave fans a glimpse into an unexpected part of her day after revealing she was mistaken for two other famous Black athletes before the sun was fully up. The decorated gymnast shared the story on social media, saying she had already been called Dominique Dawes twice and Sha’Carri Richardson once before 6 a.m.
Rather than reacting with frustration, Biles handled the mix-up with humor. She added three laughing face emojis to her Instagram Stories, showing that she was able to laugh at the situation even as it highlighted a problem many Black public figures have spoken about before.
Simone Biles Opens Up About Being Mistaken for Fellow Black Athletes
Biles wrote, “It’s not even 6am and I’ve already gotten called Dominique Dawes 2x and Sha’Carri once.”
The post quickly caught attention because all three women are among America’s most recognizable Black athletes. Dominique Dawes is a trailblazing Olympic gymnast who inspired generations of young gymnasts. Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson is an Olympic champion sprinter known for her speed and vibrant personality.
Although the women compete in different sports and represent different generations, Biles’ experience sparked conversations online about how often Black athletes are mistaken for one another despite their unique accomplishments.
Simone Biles Has Faced Misidentification Before
This was not the first time Biles has spoken out after being misidentified. In 2023, she corrected The Wall Street Journal after the publication mistakenly used a photo of fellow gymnast Shilese Jones in an article about her.
At the time, Biles responded on X with a direct message.
“This picture isn’t even me…….. try again.”
The publication later removed the incorrect post and acknowledged the mistake.
“We have corrected the photo and the story and on social media.”
That incident became another example of the challenges many high-profile Black athletes and entertainers say they continue to face.
Simone Biles Has Been Honest About Experiencing Racism in Sports
Beyond mistaken identity, Biles has also spoken openly about racism throughout her career. During a 2020 appearance on NBC’s Today, she reflected on when she first became aware of discrimination on the international stage.
She recalled that after winning the all-around title at the 2013 World Championships in Belgium, attention shifted away from her historic victory. Instead, headlines focused on comments made by Italian gymnast Carlotta Ferlito.
“I didn’t really notice racism until 2013,” Biles said. “I was on a world scene, and what made the news was another gymnast saying that if we painted our skin black, maybe we would all win because I had beaten her out of beam medal.”
For Biles, the experience showed how racism could overshadow athletic excellence, even during one of the biggest moments of her career.
Simone Biles Continues Inspiring the Next Generation
Despite those experiences, Biles has remained focused on encouraging young athletes to pursue their dreams. She believes challenges should never stop someone from reaching their full potential.
Reflecting on racism in sports, Biles said many Black athletes have faced similar experiences throughout their careers.
“I feel like every Black athlete or colored athlete can say that they’ve experienced it through their career.”
She also shared a message of hope for young people watching her journey.
“But you just have to keep going for those little ones looking up to us. It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can strive for greatness, and you can be great.”
Those words continue to resonate with aspiring athletes around the world. While her latest social media post was shared with laughter, it also reminded many people of broader conversations about recognition, representation, and respect for Black excellence.
