Other athletes being turned into Barbie include Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair and French boxer Estelle Mossely.
Mattel is releasing nine new Barbie dolls depicting some of the world’s most celebrated female athletes, including tennis star Venus Williams and Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair. The nine dolls are part of the brand’s ongoing celebration of Barbie’s 65th anniversary.
“Barbie is thrilled to continue the brand’s 65th-anniversary celebration by recognizing the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation,” Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, Mattel, said in statement Wednesday. “By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality.”
The dolls are one of a kind and are not available for purchase, Mattel told CBS MoneyWatch on Wednesday. Other athletes being honored with Barbie dolls in their likeness are Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno, Australian soccer player Mary Fowler, French boxer Estelle Mossely, Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini, Spanish paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez and Polish track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda. In April, celebrated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the toy brand honored U.S. figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” tennis legend Venus Williams said in the same statement from Mattel.
