World champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith turned into Barbie doll to celebrate International Women's Day
Dina Asher-Smith has been made into a Barbie doll to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Toy company Mattel has honoured the world champion sprinter with a one-of-a-kind “Shero” doll in her likeness to celebrate their dual mission to inspire the limitless potential in every girl.
The brand says it is highlighting female role models from around the world in 2020 in a bid to close the Dream Gap – a phenomenon that refers to the combination of barriers that impede girls from achieving their dreams or reaching their full potential.
The gold medallist and four-time European champion was selected by Mattel because of her accomplishments and how she inspires a new generation in what they can achieve.
“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,” Asher-Smith said.
“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.”
Asher-Smith’s doll comes wearing a blue and white Nike cropped vest and matching blue running shorts just like the outfit the sportswoman wore when she won a historic gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.
The athlete said she hopes her doll will inspire young girls to take up and continue to enjoy sports, adding that having a doll created in her likeness is one of her greatest achievements.
“There are so many amazing things have happened because of my love for running, but having my own Barbie is definitely up there,” Asher-Smith said.
The gold medallist has been honoured by the toy company Mattel alongside a number of other sporting ‘Sheroes’ including French football captain Amandine Henry, world Paralympic swimming champion Sumeyye Boyacı and European junior surfing champion Teresa Bonvalot.
Speaking of the new line-up, Heather Smith, associate head of innovation at Women in Sport, expressed her concerns that too many girls are missing out on the benefits that sport provides because of negative attitudes.
“Sport and physical activity is a fantastic way to build girls’ confidence and resilience, helping them become healthy and happy young women,” Smith said.
“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.”
Barbie has created ‘Sheroes’ since 2015, including dolls of UK activist and model Adwoa Aboah in 2019, and boxer Nicola Adams in 2018.
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