FILE - Venus Williams hits a forehand shot during her first-round match against Anastasia Rodionova of Russia at the Acura Classic tennis tournament Monday, July 30, 2007, in Carlsbad, Calif. Barbie dolls will honor tennis champion Venus Williams and eight other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Republished May 22, 2024 - 8:03 AM
Original Publication Date May 21, 2024 - 9:16 PM
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Barbie dolls will honor tennis champion Venus Williams and eight other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday.
The others being depicted as dolls are gymnasts Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno, soccer players Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez and track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” said Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles.
The brand wanted to note "the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation,” Mattel's Krista Berger said.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
News from © The Associated Press, 2024