CALIFORNIA, United States— Mattel announced on Wednesday that Barbie dolls will be made in honour of tennis champion Venus Williams and eight other athletes.

According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the other athletes being depicted as dolls include gymnasts Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno, footballers Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, para triathlete Susana Rodriguez and track and field sprinter Ewa Swoboda.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, is quoted saying in the AP report.

Senior Vice President at Barbie and Head of Dolls, Krista Berger said with the new project, the brand wanted to highlight “the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation”.