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Barbie has had tie-ins for the Olympic Games before, including both the Summer and Winter games as well as the Paralympics.
(Finding that post to link back to made me realise that I said I was going to do a post about past Winter games dolls, but I haven't done so.)
As of time of writing this post, there have not been any announced tie-in dolls for the 2024 Paris games, but I think it's highly likely that there will be.
I have recently discovered that there was a bit of controversy over the dolls for the Tokyo games in 2020/2021, and I feel it appropriate to draw attention to it.
This was during a time when Mattel were really pushing diverse line-ups in the Barbie brand. In fact, there was a press release (links to it now dead but it was quoted in some other articles) in which they discussed that the collection was designed to “highlight inclusivity and innovation”.
However, some people subsequently questioned this, as the line does not contain any Barbies of Asian appearance - despite the Games being held in Japan!
Mattel's official statement was that the Skateboarder Barbie was intended to be read as an Asian athlete however that they "fell short".
I am not going to question whether this doll is or is not intended to depict an Asian athlete - however this was a disappointing effort given the promise of inclusivity.
Some Asian athletes have been depicted as Barbies - for example volleyballer Hui Ruoqi has a She-roes depiction.
And snowboarder Chloe Kim has a highly sought after Barbie depiction too.
However going forward Mattel really could do better to ensure that, if they are going to market a brand as being diverse and inclusive, that they actually do follow through on that promise.
I was born a female in Auckland, New Zealand. I was conceived behind the bleachers at the high school football stadium.
transcript:
Roha’Mora High School
2 months after the big game...
girl: That night was something special.
boy: Sure was. And don’t think I’m easy or anything just because I went down on you.
girl: Did more than that beneath those bleachers.
boy: Yeah...well... *coy smirk*
girl: That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. There’s something I need to tell you.
boy: *chuckles* You’re not pregnant are you?
girl: *grimaces*
boy: ARE you?!
girl: Yes.
"BetterUp’s Chief Impact Officer Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex sits down with two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim, author, psychologist, and BetterUp Science Board Member Adam Grant, and flourishing BetterUp member Blu Mendoza. Together, they discuss how each of them have worked with their Coaches to develop proactive Mental Fitness practices and transform their lives."
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex sits down with two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim, author, psychologist, and BetterUp Science Board Member Adam Grant, and flourishing BetterUp member Blu Mendoza.
Together, they discuss how each of them have worked with their Coaches to develop proactive Mental Fitness practices and transform their lives.