Mattel has unveiled a new line of Barbie dolls featuring top female athletes, including Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda, American tennis legend Venus Williams, and Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini. This collection aims to highlight the positive impact of sports on confidence, ambition, and empowerment among young girls.
“Elevating these inspiring sportswomen and their stories will hopefully cement the belief that every young girl deserves the chance to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality,” stated Krista Berger, a representative for Barbie.
Swoboda, ecstatic about her inclusion, shared on Instagram, “I am overjoyed that Barbie has recognized my story and honored me alongside eight other incredible sportswomen from around the world with the Barbie Role Model title. It’s unbelievable! I played with Barbie dolls as a little girl, and now I have my own doll that looks just like me—a one-of-a-kind in the world.”
The Polish athlete hopes her story will encourage authenticity. “I want my story to show that it’s always worth being yourself. You don’t need to meet anyone’s expectations or fit into predefined boxes to achieve your goals. Everyone has the right to express themselves in their own way,” she added.
Other athletes featured in this series include French boxer Estelle Mossely, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno, Australian soccer player Mary Fowler, Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair, and Spanish paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez.
By spotlighting these diverse role models, Barbie continues to inspire the next generation of girls to break barriers and follow their dreams in sports and beyond.