Olympic champion track cyclist Kristina Vogel, who was left paralysed from the chest down after a training crash last June, has been honoured with a Barbie doll in her likeness for International Women’s Day.
Vogel, who won team sprint gold at the London Olympics and the individual sprint title in Rio, was training for the German Sprint Grand Prix at the velodrome in Cottbus when she was involved in a collision with another rider.
She was placed in an induced coma and underwent spinal surgery, but will never walk again.
Earlier this week, she spoke to Chris Hoy about dealing with her paralysis. Echoing the thoughts of many who have heard her speak since the accident, Hoy called her “an incredible human being.”
Vogel is one of 20 women who have had dolls made in their image as part of Barbie’s ongoing “Role Models” campaign.
“Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public,” said manufacturer Mattel in its announcement. “With her infectious vitality, she is a model for believing in yourself.”
“Can’t describe my feelings in words,” tweeted Vogel. “I’m just so proud.”
The Vogel Barbie doll is not the first in a wheelchair. Last month Mattel announced a new line of Fashionista Barbies, which will include different body sizes and two with disabilities – one in a wheelchair and one with a removable prosthetic leg.
The Mighty reports that the firm introduced its first wheelchair-using doll, Share-a-Smile Becky, in 1997. (Although the website notes that the Barbie world was not wheelchair accessible and Becky couldn’t actually get through the door of Barbie’s house.)
Radar tells me their closing speed, if they are slowing and how far away. Then I decide to say a prayer. The change of light pattern is incidental.
Quite so, which is why our village 20mph zone covers the whole residential extent. Of course, enforcement is another thing..
£4.
No, that's very doubtful while proper testing would be fully destructive.
In that £1000 exactly scenario, beginners should probably be made aware that pedals will be extra.
What's wrong with dropping down on to the Millenium Bridge, or the swing bridge, then the brief, but satisfying climb back up the hill? #training....
The relatives might of course disagree, but in general I'd countenance a relatively light sentence* if only we could fix it so that those who...
Id forgotten that I got a second hand set of project two's for my getting to work bike over twenty years back.
My bet is that all these tires popping off are from people with bad pressure gauges or they're simply just putting too much air in on purpose. ...
David9694 - you were right! These new autonomous vehicles really are conspiring to run out of control!...