EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Barbie dolls will honor tennis champion Venus Williams and eight other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday.
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The others being depicted as dolls are gymnasts Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno, soccer players Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez and track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda.
Australian and Manchester City W.F.C. football player Mary Fowler poses with her Barbie doll in Manchester, UK. Photo by Mattel/ Michael Bowles/ Handout via REUTERS
Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda poses with her Barbie doll in Warsaw, Poland. Photo by Mattel/ Petra Rajnicova/ Handout via Reuters
"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," said Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles.
Spanish paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez poses with her Barbie doll in Vigo, Spain. Photo by Mattel/ Petra Rajnicova/ Handout via Reuters
French boxer Estelle Mossely poses with her Barbie doll in Paris. Photo by Mattel/ Petra Rajnicova/ Handout via Reuters
Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini poses with her Barbie doll, in Verona, Italy. Photo by Mattel/ Petra Rajnicova/ Handout via Reuters
The brand wanted to note "the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation," Mattel's Krista Berger said.