Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair is being honoured with her own Barbie doll.
In celebration of the iconic doll’s 65th anniversary, Mattel is recognizing nine athletes around the world with a one-of-a-kind role model doll, to celebrate the barriers they have broken for women in their respective fields.
Canadian soccer star and three-time Olympic medalist Christine Sinclair is one of the athletes being honoured, along with American tennis star Venus Williams and Australian football player Mary Fowler.
Mattel says Barbie hopes to help lift the voices of women in sports to celebrate their accomplishments on and off the field.
“We are proud to continue fueling the momentum surrounding women in sports by welcoming these nine athletes as our newest role models,” Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, Mattel, said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The sports one-of-a-kind role model dolls serve as an embodiment of our shared values of passion, empowerment and individuality. By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality,” she added.
Sinclair has been named Canadian Player of the Year 14 times and has scored more international goals and Olympic goals than any other player in the world. She has also led the Canadian women’s team to three World Cups and four Olympic Summer Games.
The iconic athlete said she never thought a Barbie would be made in her likeness.
“As an athlete, it was never a thought in my wildest dreams that I’d be immortalized with an iconic doll,” Sinclair said in a statement.
“The significance of this aligns with my hope of inspiring young girls to never give up on the sport they love or anything they might want to achieve. I truly believe that by sharing the stories of women in sports, we can pave the way for future generations of athletes,” she added.
The other athletes being honoured with a Barbie include: boxer Estelle Mossely (France): Boxer, gymnasts Alexa Moreno (Mexico) and Rebecca Andrade (Brazil), Paratriathlon Athlete Susan Rodriguez (Spain), swimmer Federica Pellegrini (Italy) and track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda (Poland).
In support of Barbie’s initiative of closing the Dream Gap, and in partnership with Walmart Canada, for each Barbie doll or Barbie playset sold at any Walmart store in Canada or online from June 1 to July 31, 2024, Mattel Canada will donate $1 to the Christine Sinclair Girls with Goals Foundation, up to a maximum total amount of $10,000.
