Tokyo Olympics: Mattel criticised for Barbie collection that commemorates Games but leaves out Asians

Critics said it’s an especially egregious oversight because this year’s games were in Tokyo

They said it’s another example of American culture dismissing Asian-Americans amid increased hate crimes in the country

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Mattel is facing criticism after it released a collection of Barbie dolls to celebrate the Olympics that do not include a character of East Asian ethnicity. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:01pm, 9 Aug 2021Updated: 10:06am, 16 Aug 2021

US toymaker Mattel appears to have left out a Barbie doll of East Asian ethnicity in a recently released collection commemorating the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, despite Japan hosting this year’s Games.

The creator of the iconic Barbie dolls first unveiled the set in February 2020 and relaunched it in late July. Mattel pitched the line as a way of “empowering girls to participate in sports” and “find the athlete within”.

The collection features five dolls representing new sports added to the Olympic programme this year: baseball and softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing.

Besides the specific sporting apparel and equipment, the dolls also have Tokyo 2020 jackets and gold plastic medals on a ribbon. They are part of an official licensing agreement with the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Barbie dolls were meant to commemorate the five sports added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, such as skateboarding and karate. Photo: Handout

People immediately criticised the dolls for an apparent absence of an East Asian doll, especially since the Games took place in Tokyo.