Search
shop

Paralympic triathlon champion celebrated by Barbie as she gets her own one-of-a-kind doll

Susana Rodriguez, the 2020 PTVI Paralympic gold medalist, was one of several female athletes to be honoured with a one-of-a-kind barbie doll.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Spanish paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez has been recognised by toy manufacturer Mattel, in a continued celebration of Barbie’s 65th anniversary, with a one-of-a-kind doll of her own.

The Paralympic Champion, who lost her eyesight as a result of Albinism, was one of nine athletes honoured by the company for their work as role models in women’s sport.

Rodriguez, who is also a doctor, has been racing paratriathlon for over a decade and at the Tokyo Paralympics of 2021 she represented the Spanish national team in both triathlon and athletics.

Recognising women in sport

Mattel said that they wanted to continue to promote women in sport, by “highlighting sports role models to show girls that anything is possible if you relentlessly pursue your passions.”

Spanish triathlete Susana Rodriguez with her Barbie doll.
[Photo Credit – Petra Rajnicova]

Susana’s Barbie, which also comes with its own support animal accessory, the mirror image of her very own guide dog ‘Yellow’, is testament to the outsized impact the Spaniard has had on the sport.

Making her World Triathlon debut in 2010, the World #1 has nearly 50 career wins to her name, which have all been achieved alongside her medical career and studies in Pontevedra and the University of Santiago de Compostela.

Ranked #1 in the World Triathlon Paralympic Qualification Rankings, Rodriguez is a firm favourite to defend her title in Paris this summer and will next race at the World Triathlon Para Series in Montreal next weekend.

In good Barbie company

The other athletes celebrated by Barbie alongside Rodriguez included US tennis player Venus Williams, Australian footballer Mary Fowler and French boxer Estelle Mossely.

Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini, Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda, Canadian footballer Christine Sinclair and gymnasts Rebecca Andrade (Brazil) and Alexa Moreno (Mexico) were also commemorated.

Word Para Triathlon Series Montreal 2022 - Susana Rodriguez
Photo Credit: Christian Martin | World Triathlon

Rodriguez said that to be recognised alongside these women by Barbie as a role model was a great honour, and she hopes that it will serve to inspire the next generation of female sporting stars.

“Being chosen as a Barbie role model is a source of pride for me. I hope that girls, when they see me and my Barbie together, see an example of someone who despite having certain challenges can achieve their goals through work, effort and above all self-belief.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...