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.”
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.
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.”
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