JAKARTA - The Chilean Paralympic athlete in a wheelchair, who broke the 2019 world record for the sport of shot put, has become a Barbie doll model. The doll was made by the American toy company Mattel, as part of the company's goal to diversify its line of dolls.
Francisca Mardones, 43, who is participating in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, has represented her country in wheelchair tennis and, more recently, has competed in the sport of shot put, discus and javelin throwing.
Mardones had ambitions to become an Olympic athlete since childhood, but suffered spinal damage after being injured in a landslide during a hurricane that hit the island of Puerto Rico where he worked in 1999.
She hopes her Barbie can encourage children that disability shouldn't get in the way of their dreams.
"This is an acknowledgment of the sacrifices over the years that I have made for the sport and the results of that," Mardones said.
"In the end, what Mattel wants to highlight is not my disability, but my sporting achievements, and that means a lot."
Mardones said the toy company was meticulous about details, asking for pieces of its clothing to prototype and also seeking permission from its sponsors to recreate their logo.
"They probably describe me more in my tennis era, and maybe a few pounds lighter," Mardones said with a smile.
The doll is part of Mattel's Barbie "Sheroes" line, created in 2015 to introduce model women.
Earlier this month, Mattel launched a Barbie version of British coronavirus vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert as part of a series depicting women battling COVID-19.
Last month, tennis player Naomi Osaka, who has used her position to raise the issue of racial inequality, also became part of Mattel to make their Barbie doll more diverse.
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