Over the last few years, Barbie has transformed itself from the pink-obsessed, disproportionately featured doll into something much more inspirational.
And their latest launch is a doll that celebrates one of the most inspirational current figures in British athletics – Dina Asher-Smith.
The latest in a spate of diverse and body-positive dolls, the Dina doll honours the gold-medallist from London ahead of International Women’s Day. And it is entirely fitting that the World champion should be honoured in this way.
Dina Asher-Smith is the fastest British woman in history, World champion and four times European champion. The hope is that the doll will spotlight Dina’s incredible achievements and help to inspire a new generation fo young athletes.
The launch comes as part of Barbie’s pledge to spotlighting female role models in sports. It’s an effort to close the ‘Dream Gap’; the time when girls start to doubt that they can be anything. Research shows that when girls play sports, they report higher levels of confidence, which in turn breaks down barriers to self-belief.
‘I’m so proud to have my own one-of-a-kind Dina Barbie doll,’ says Dina. ‘It’s an honour to work with Barbie as a “Shero” and work together to inspire future champions!
‘Growing up, sportswomen were less visible in the media and there is still a gap when it comes to women’s sports, which is why representation is so important. For Barbie to champion female athletes and different sports shows future generations that anything is possible.
‘I hope little girls will see my doll and be inspired to take up and continue to enjoy sports! There are so many amazing things have happened because of my love for running, but having my own Barbie is definitely up there.’
Across Europe several other sporting role models were announced by Barbie, including Amandine Henry the National French Football captain, Teresa Bonvalot the European junior surfing champion, Sümeyye Boyacı the World para swimmer Champion and Olga Kharlan the five-time World champion sabre fencer.
‘Currently, too many girls are missing out on the physical and mental benefits that sport provides, with negative attitudes towards sport being formed as young as five years old,’ says Heather Smith, Associate Head of Innovation at Women in Sport.
‘At Women in Sport, we’re determined to help more girls enjoy these lifelong rewards of sport.
‘With an exciting summer of sport on the horizon, that will be filled with inspirational women, we’re excited to be supporting’s Barbie’s Dream Gap sporting role models programme, which platforms these positive and aspirational role models for girls and shows them they can do and be anything.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/03/barbie-launches-special-edition-dina-asher-smith-doll-celebrate-inspirational-sprinter-12338800/?ITO=squid
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