New doll honors Turkish Para swimmer World Series champ

ISTANBUL

A new doll modeled after World Para Swimming World Series champion Sumeyye Boyaci made its debut on Wednesday.

Celebrating the achievements of the Turkish swimmer, the doll's producer hopes to help inspire a new generation of young athletes.

After winning two successive gold medals in the 50-meter backstroke at the 2019 World Para Swimming World Series in Indianapolis and the 2018 World Para Swimming European Championships in Dublin, Boyaci became a silver medalist at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London.

"l may not have arms but I have wings no one else sees," said the 17-year-old Boyaci.

In a tribute to female athletes, Barbie launched a series of dolls including Boyaci, as well as Ukrainian five-time world champion saber fencer Olga Kharlan, British 200 m world champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, German long jump world champion Malaika Mihambo, National French Football captain Amandine Henry, Lithuanian European indoor athletics champion Airine Palsyte and European junior surfing champion Teresa Bonvalot from Portugal.