It’s not every day you see yourself reincarnated as a Barbie, but one famous British athlete has now been made in painstaking detail into a one-of-a-kind doll.
Dina Asher-Smith, who was shortlisted for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2013, has been added to Mattel’s ‘Sheroes’ Barbie collection., which celebrates female role models around the world.
The range, which launched in 2015, has previously included UK activist and model Adwoa Aboah in 2019, and boxer Nicola Adams in 2018.
So, who is Dina, the latest face of the campaign?
Who is Dina Asher-Smith?
Dina Asher-Smith is a 24-year-old British sprinter and gold medallist, who is the fastest British woman in history, World champion and four times European champion.
Born in London, on 4 December 1995, she currently holds British records in the 100m (10.83 secs), 200m (21.88 secs) and 4x100m (41.77 secs), British Junior records in the 100m (11.14 secs) and 200m (22.61 secs) and the European Junior Indoor Record in the 200m (23.15 secs).
The runner attended the Bees Academy at Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletic Club, before going on to become the world’s fastest teenager when she was 19 hen she silver medal at the 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships.
She then became the fastest teenager in history over 200m after setting a record at Beijing 2015.
In 2019, she claimed silver in the 100m final in the 2019 World Championships, creating a new British record of 10.83 seconds.
Speaking to BBC Sport at the time, Dina said: ‘I have worked so hard for these championships and hopefully I’ll go on to do even bigger things.
‘I’m really pleased to come away with a personal best and national record. That is more than you could ever ask for in a world final.
‘I was thinking on the line: this is your time to go.’
Outside of athletics, she graduated from Kings College in London with a history degree – but all eyes are now on her upcoming performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.
Is Dina Asher-Smith dating anyone?
Dina appears to be single at the moment but used to date British sprinter Zharnel Hughes, whom she reportedly dated for around one year.
Zharnel is the European 100m champion, and lives in Jamaica, competing for Team GB from the British overseas territory.
The couple split up in 2018 before the Commonwealth Games and Dina denied at the time that her break-up would be a distraction.
Speaking about her ex-boyfriend in 2018, Dina told The Express: ‘We are fine, we are still friends.
‘I won’t go into the details because that is personal life but we are cool, absolutely fine.’
Zharnel went on to win the 200m event at the Commonwealth Games that year but was later disqualified.
Dina said: ‘I know how much this meant to him. ‘But at the end of the day he is in great shape and that is what you have to take away from it.’
Why has Dina Asher-Smith been made into a Barbie?
(Picture: Barbie)
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Dina is the latest in a series of diverse and body-positive Barbie dolls from toy company Mattel.
The dolls are intended to highlight Dina’s outstanding achievements and inspire a new generation of young athletes – and the launch is part of Barbie’s pledge to spotlight female role models in sports, in an effort to close the ‘dream gap’.
Research shows that from the age of five, many girls begin to lose confidence in what they can do, whereas those who play sport have increased self-confidence. Instead of doubting themselves, studies indicate when girls play sport they’re able to break down barriers to self-belief.
The British sprinter was presented with her own Barbie doll whilst training at her local track in Eltham, London.
Dina said: ‘I’m so proud to have my own one-of-a-kind Dina Barbie doll.
‘It’s an honour to work with Barbie as a “Shero” and work together to inspire future champions!
Dina continued: ‘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.
Barbie launched ‘Sheroes’ in 2015, with the range including dolls of UK activist and model Adwoa Aboah in 2019, and boxer Nicola Adams in 2018.
Heather Smith, Associate Head of Innovation at Women in Sport, added: ‘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.’
‘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/dina-asher-smith-age-partner-turned-barbie-12340480/?ITO=squid
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