The company had pitched the line to inspire women to participate in sports and 'find the athlete within themselves'. The collection features five dolls representing new sports added to the Olympic programme this year: baseball and softball, climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing.
US toymaker company Mattel came under fire after leaving out a Barbie doll of Asian ethnicity in a recently released collection commemorating the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The creators had first unveiled the set in February 2020 and had relaunched it in late July. The company had pitched the line to inspire women to participate in sports and 'find the athlete within themselves'.
The collection features five dolls representing new sports added to the Olympic programme this year: baseball and softball, climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing. Besides the specific sporting apparel and equipment, the dolls donned Tokyo 2020 jackets and gold plastic medals on a ribbon.
The caption of the post read: "#Barbie is committed to empowering girls to participate in sports by capturing the fun and friendship of the season, and inspiring kids to find the athlete within."
is committed to empowering girls to participate in sports by capturing the fun and friendship of the season, and inspiring kids to find the athlete within.🏅 https://t.co/MFjn2ZhfvW pic.twitter.com/XftIDTaZMo
— Barbie (@Barbie)Netizens took to social media and immediately criticised the dolls for an apparent absence of an Asian doll, especially since the Olympic Games took place in Tokyo.
According to Mattel you can can anything , but ASIAN if you want to be included. The Olympics is literally happening in Asia. An Asian countries has the most gold medals. An Asian-American won gold in one of the biggest and most poplar event. Talk about tone deaf. Do much better!
— Allen Chan (@achan0501)You can't have a doll representing the Olympics and Not include a doll of Asian Quality! The sports held Tokoyo why not include a doll from that country? Instead of 2 blonde, it should one and a Asian doll. Period! How fair is it to them?
— Kisha (@Kisha45134780)Major failure! Where is the doll that looks Asian? Especially Olympic 2020 is taking place in Japan which is an Asian country. this is a disaster, whether it’s accidental or intentional.
— Mellie (@mesyndaily)According to media reports, Mattel's official statement said the toy-making company had collaborated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 to create the Olympic-themed dolls. It further said that the latest product line of Olympic-inspired Barbies highlights "inclusivity and innovation" and reflects the five new sports added to Tokyo Games.