Team Barbie Takes the Olympic Games
In 2023, Barbie took center stage, inspiring young girls and showing them they can accomplish anything they set their minds on. As we look ahead to the summer of 2024, the spotlight shifts to the Paris Olympics, where the world's most exceptional athletes will compete on a global stage. To celebrate Barbie's 65th anniversary, the company has ingeniously merged these two themes, creating a captivating scenario that intertwines sports and the beloved Barbie. In a heartwarming tribute to some of the most remarkable female athletes worldwide, the company has crafted a series of Barbie dolls in their likeness. According to Mattel's parent company, these women will be part of the Barbie Role Models line, designed for nine women "who have broken boundaries to encourage girls to stay in sports and recognize their full potential."
Courtesy of Mattel
Barbie's chosen athletes for this initiative represent a diverse range of sports and backgrounds. They include Venus Williams, Estelle Mossely, Rebeca Andrade, Susana Rodriguez Gacio, Mary Fowler, Federica Pellegrini, Alexa Moreno, Christine Sinclair, and Ewa Swoboda. Each of these nine women excels in a different sport, from boxing to para-triathlon, showcasing the diversity within the sporting community and across the globe. Many of these women have been pioneers in their respective sports, setting and breaking numerous records.
Courtesy of Mattel
Venus Williams, in a statement shared with theGrio, expresses the honor she feels to be part of this initiative.
“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… I’m honored to be recognized as a sports role model and join forces with Team Barbie to continue empowering the next generation of young girls to never stop believing in their dreams.”
This personal touch from the athletes themselves adds a powerful element to Barbie's mission of supporting the sports world and encouraging girls to follow their dreams.
Barbie's efforts to celebrate these athletes and their achievements to inspire girls to follow their dreams and not give up on sports is a message that will make a lasting impact on the world of female sports. Thankfully, young girls don't have to look very far to find female athletes to be inspired by. Whether it is a highly decorated tennis champion like Venus Williams, the first ever Brazilian gymnast to medal at the Olympics like Rebeca Andrade, or a visually impaired doctor who is a dedicated athlete like Susana Rodriguez Gacio, each of their stories are inspiring in their own way.
Courtesy of Mattel
With the Olympics right around the corner, there are sure to be many more female athletes who will inspire women, young and old, to pursue their passions and never give up. At the end of the day, these Barbies are more than just toys; they symbolize the limitless potential within every child to break barriers and achieve greatness through determination and resilience, like these female athletes. We truly are athlete girls living in a Barbie World.