#paralympic champion becky

[barbielore]

I have made a couple of posts in the past that refer to Barbies who are depicted as having disabilities, including the original 3 Becky dolls, the first doll in the Barbie line to be depicted using a wheelchair.

To go a little deeper on Becky, though, she was released specifically between 1997 and 1999. Her first appearance as "Share a Smile Becky" was not the only doll in the "Share a Smile" line - this line also came with Barbie and Christie, though they did not use wheelchairs.

Becky was the standout of the line, both in terms of marketing and sales - Share a Smile Becky sold a reported 6000 dolls in two weeks. I don't know exactly how this stacks up in raw numbers to other Barbie line dolls but it's quite impressive.

Becky's next appearance was as "I'm the School Photographer" Becky, where she is apparently an award winner for photographing the basketball team. She is depicted on the box with the Colour Streak Barbie line from the year prior, an articulated doll line with mascara-esque wands to put coloured streaks in their hair.

I'm not particularly sure why they marketed School Photographer Becky in relation to the Colour Streak line, as opposed to as part of a school or even athletics related line. Or for that matter, if you're going to market a Becky in this line, why not give her a Colour Streak doll? We could have had Raucous Red or Mellow Yellow Becky.

Her third and final appearance was as Paralympic Champion Becky, released in 1999 as a prelude to the Sydney Olympic Games. The equivalent Barbie in the line was Swimming Champion Barbie, who could "swim" backstroke or freestyle in water.

Teresa and Christie were also released as Swimming Champions this same year, as well as a variety of other Olympic tie-ins such as fans and, for some reason, a pin collector.

I think my biggest quibble with Paralympic Champion Becky personally is that the other athlete dolls (the Swimming Champions) have a name that refers to their event, rather than the games as a whole. Perhaps Becky should have been marketed as Racer Becky or something.

Of course, the doll was designed to educate children on the Paralympic Games, but I feel they could have done a little better in that regard.

Interestingly - some articles about Becky cite there being a fourth Becky doll, one who used sign language. As far as I can tell this is a misattribution of Sign Language Barbie.

Personally I find this one fascinating because, in addition to coming with instructions for some signs including the alphabet, she has a custom arm, with the hand molded in the shape of the sign for "I Love You".

Becky's other main appearance that I find notable is in the Barbie book "Three Cheers for Becky", in which Becky coaches the cheerleading squad.

A lot of Becky's appearances around this time carry a hint of condescension. It appears as though Mattel was genuinely trying, but fell into some tropes of Becky as an inspirational figure with few personality traits outside of being Barbie's Friend Who Uses A Wheelchair. Some of these things could be relatively easily sidestepped by Mattel - I don't object to Becky as a Paralympian in the lead-up to an Olympic year, but why not give Becky the opportunity to have regular fashion dolls too?

Oh, and let her actually fit in the Dreamhouse. That would have been good too.

#barbie #barbie lore #share a smile becky #barbies with disabilities #sign language barbie #paralympic champion becky #olympic barbies #barbie books #color streak barbie

[computacionalblog]

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her http://www.nature-business.com/nature-wada-anti-doping-campaigner-beckie-scott-says-officials-tried-to-bully-her/

Nature

Media playback is not supported on this device

Wada officials ‘disrespected’ me – Scott tells BBC sports editor Dan RoanThe chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) Athlete Committee says some of the organisation’s most senior officials tried to “bully” her over her opposition to Russian reinstatement.Beckie Scott told the BBC she was “treated with disrespect” at a recent meeting and faced “inappropriate” comments and gestures from some members of Wada’s executive committee.The Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion resigned from a Wada panel last month in protest at its highly controversial recommendation to end the suspension of Russia from international competition after a state-sponsored doping scandal. In her first interview since stepping down, Scott said the treatment she faced was “indicative of a general attitude of dismissal and belittling of the athlete voice”.In a statement, Wada admitted “tensions were running high” at last month’s meeting, and that the strong views on both sides of the debate “do affect the tone and atmosphere” but “the athletes’ voice was clearly heard”. It said Scott’s concerns “were being taken seriously”.BackgroundIn September the BBC revealed Wada’s leadership had secretly softened two key criteria to help bring Russia back into compliance after a three-year suspension.Once Russia agreed to comply, Wada’s compliance review committee (CRC) recommended reinstatement, prompting an outcry from many athletes and national anti-doping agencies.Scott, who is a former IOC member and one of the most high-profile athletes in the anti-doping movement, says she resigned because she “fundamentally disagreed” with her colleagues on the CRC.”I felt it was a compromise,” she said.”I don’t think it was acceptable to clean athletes, especially in light of the affront to clean sport that had taken place.”It was an altering of a ‘roadmap’ that was established by Wada in order to regain compliance. And it was basically a reversal of the conditions, so compliance was established before conditions had been met.”I think from an athletes’ perspective that is such an affront because no-one is altering rules and regulations to ensure athletes reach their goals or achieve their results.”

Former cross-country skier Beckie Scott is a three-time OlympianThey tried ‘to bully’Wada’s all-important 12-person executive committee then held a meeting in the Seychelles to formally approve Russia’s reinstatement. It was there, Scott claims, as she made a presentation, that she faced “upsetting” comments by some of the members representing the Olympic movement “definitely designed to denigrate, to belittle… and to bully”.”I felt an intense amount of pressure going into that meeting. There was laughter when I read out the list of athlete committees who were confronting the decision [over Russia],” she said.”At the time it was upsetting, and on reflection it’s a tactic, a manoeuvre and born out of a long-standing belief that athletes don’t have to be part of this conversation.”Scott says she was “disappointed” neither Wada’s president Sir Craig Reedie or director-general Olivier Niggli stepped in at the time. “There was no confrontation or challenging of that behaviour at the time it took place,” she said.”I think it’s indicative of the leadership of Wada’s alignment with the Olympic movement.”Wada head Reedie defends Russian reinstatement decisionWada’s responseWada said Scott had shared her concerns in writing with its leadership and they were being taken seriously, with Reedie already responding to her.However, it denied Scott’s suggestion its leadership had become aligned with the Olympic movement as “completely and demonstrably untrue”.”The leadership of Wada are independent and have shown time and time again that they make decisions exclusively in the best interests of the organisation and fight against doping,” it said. “In fact, this independence has led to criticism of of Wada leadership by the very bodies with whom Miss Scott claims they are aligned.”Russia has made a qualified admission that its government was involved in an intricate and extensive doping conspiracy. It has also agreed to turn over data and doping samples that could help corroborate positive tests, with Wada insisting Russia will be made non-compliant again if it fails to meet “strict conditions”. Scott accepts she did initially consider a means of breaking the deadlock that had developed with Russia over the terms for reinstatement, but became opposed once she understood the ramifications. The athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it “agreed in principle” with the ending of the suspension, and Wada has pointed out it was backed by a majority of government representatives. Reedie said some athletes did not fully understand Wada’s intentions, a suggestion Scott described as “quite offensive”.”Would we be having this conversation if it was a nation with far smaller resources or far smaller teams participating in Olympic Games? We are talking about a superpower in sport and the influence and pressure that they are able to exert, even within Wada, has been remarkable.”Scott says the time had come for far-reaching reforms of Wada’s governance, with athletes given a vote on the executive committee, as well as representatives of the Olympic movement and governments. “This is a real opportunity for change,” Scott said.”There has been an incredible loss of confidence and faith in the organisation. Athletes have been galvanised by this and expressed their frustration on a level I’ve never seen before.”We have fallen under the pressure of politics, and we need a return to integrity based decision-making. “If we go the way of sport just becoming a political arena then something is really lost and we’re in danger of that right now.”United States Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement: “Beckie Scott speaks for the huge majority – the silent majority – of athletes and fans when she says confidence in Wada has never been lower.”There is now a perceptible and deafening noise from the global athlete community for change.”AnalysisBeckie Scott is the nearest thing the Olympic and Paralympic athlete community has to a figurehead.A highly respected former IOC member, and the most senior athlete representative inside Wada, her explosive claims will be highly damaging for Wada’s beleaguered leadership as it faces an unprecedented backlash from western athletes over its decision to reinstate Russia.With some critics suggesting Wada lacks the independence from the Olympic movement to be fit for purpose, this will only add to the pressure that the regulator is now under. Especially a week after the US indicted seven Russian spies for hacking in connection with the alleged hacking of Wada officials.

Read More | BBC Sport

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her, in 2018-10-12 17:40:39

#Nature of Business in the Current Market

[blogcompetnetall]

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her http://www.nature-business.com/nature-wada-anti-doping-campaigner-beckie-scott-says-officials-tried-to-bully-her/

Nature

Media playback is not supported on this device

Wada officials ‘disrespected’ me – Scott tells BBC sports editor Dan RoanThe chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) Athlete Committee says some of the organisation’s most senior officials tried to “bully” her over her opposition to Russian reinstatement.Beckie Scott told the BBC she was “treated with disrespect” at a recent meeting and faced “inappropriate” comments and gestures from some members of Wada’s executive committee.The Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion resigned from a Wada panel last month in protest at its highly controversial recommendation to end the suspension of Russia from international competition after a state-sponsored doping scandal. In her first interview since stepping down, Scott said the treatment she faced was “indicative of a general attitude of dismissal and belittling of the athlete voice”.In a statement, Wada admitted “tensions were running high” at last month’s meeting, and that the strong views on both sides of the debate “do affect the tone and atmosphere” but “the athletes’ voice was clearly heard”. It said Scott’s concerns “were being taken seriously”.BackgroundIn September the BBC revealed Wada’s leadership had secretly softened two key criteria to help bring Russia back into compliance after a three-year suspension.Once Russia agreed to comply, Wada’s compliance review committee (CRC) recommended reinstatement, prompting an outcry from many athletes and national anti-doping agencies.Scott, who is a former IOC member and one of the most high-profile athletes in the anti-doping movement, says she resigned because she “fundamentally disagreed” with her colleagues on the CRC.”I felt it was a compromise,” she said.”I don’t think it was acceptable to clean athletes, especially in light of the affront to clean sport that had taken place.”It was an altering of a ‘roadmap’ that was established by Wada in order to regain compliance. And it was basically a reversal of the conditions, so compliance was established before conditions had been met.”I think from an athletes’ perspective that is such an affront because no-one is altering rules and regulations to ensure athletes reach their goals or achieve their results.”

Former cross-country skier Beckie Scott is a three-time OlympianThey tried ‘to bully’Wada’s all-important 12-person executive committee then held a meeting in the Seychelles to formally approve Russia’s reinstatement. It was there, Scott claims, as she made a presentation, that she faced “upsetting” comments by some of the members representing the Olympic movement “definitely designed to denigrate, to belittle… and to bully”.”I felt an intense amount of pressure going into that meeting. There was laughter when I read out the list of athlete committees who were confronting the decision [over Russia],” she said.”At the time it was upsetting, and on reflection it’s a tactic, a manoeuvre and born out of a long-standing belief that athletes don’t have to be part of this conversation.”Scott says she was “disappointed” neither Wada’s president Sir Craig Reedie or director-general Olivier Niggli stepped in at the time. “There was no confrontation or challenging of that behaviour at the time it took place,” she said.”I think it’s indicative of the leadership of Wada’s alignment with the Olympic movement.”Wada head Reedie defends Russian reinstatement decisionWada’s responseWada said Scott had shared her concerns in writing with its leadership and they were being taken seriously, with Reedie already responding to her.However, it denied Scott’s suggestion its leadership had become aligned with the Olympic movement as “completely and demonstrably untrue”.”The leadership of Wada are independent and have shown time and time again that they make decisions exclusively in the best interests of the organisation and fight against doping,” it said. “In fact, this independence has led to criticism of of Wada leadership by the very bodies with whom Miss Scott claims they are aligned.”Russia has made a qualified admission that its government was involved in an intricate and extensive doping conspiracy. It has also agreed to turn over data and doping samples that could help corroborate positive tests, with Wada insisting Russia will be made non-compliant again if it fails to meet “strict conditions”. Scott accepts she did initially consider a means of breaking the deadlock that had developed with Russia over the terms for reinstatement, but became opposed once she understood the ramifications. The athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it “agreed in principle” with the ending of the suspension, and Wada has pointed out it was backed by a majority of government representatives. Reedie said some athletes did not fully understand Wada’s intentions, a suggestion Scott described as “quite offensive”.”Would we be having this conversation if it was a nation with far smaller resources or far smaller teams participating in Olympic Games? We are talking about a superpower in sport and the influence and pressure that they are able to exert, even within Wada, has been remarkable.”Scott says the time had come for far-reaching reforms of Wada’s governance, with athletes given a vote on the executive committee, as well as representatives of the Olympic movement and governments. “This is a real opportunity for change,” Scott said.”There has been an incredible loss of confidence and faith in the organisation. Athletes have been galvanised by this and expressed their frustration on a level I’ve never seen before.”We have fallen under the pressure of politics, and we need a return to integrity based decision-making. “If we go the way of sport just becoming a political arena then something is really lost and we’re in danger of that right now.”United States Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement: “Beckie Scott speaks for the huge majority – the silent majority – of athletes and fans when she says confidence in Wada has never been lower.”There is now a perceptible and deafening noise from the global athlete community for change.”AnalysisBeckie Scott is the nearest thing the Olympic and Paralympic athlete community has to a figurehead.A highly respected former IOC member, and the most senior athlete representative inside Wada, her explosive claims will be highly damaging for Wada’s beleaguered leadership as it faces an unprecedented backlash from western athletes over its decision to reinstate Russia.With some critics suggesting Wada lacks the independence from the Olympic movement to be fit for purpose, this will only add to the pressure that the regulator is now under. Especially a week after the US indicted seven Russian spies for hacking in connection with the alleged hacking of Wada officials.

Read More | BBC Sport

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her, in 2018-10-12 17:40:39

#Nature of Business in the Current Market

[magicwebsitesnet]

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her http://www.nature-business.com/nature-wada-anti-doping-campaigner-beckie-scott-says-officials-tried-to-bully-her/

Nature

Media playback is not supported on this device

Wada officials ‘disrespected’ me – Scott tells BBC sports editor Dan RoanThe chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) Athlete Committee says some of the organisation’s most senior officials tried to “bully” her over her opposition to Russian reinstatement.Beckie Scott told the BBC she was “treated with disrespect” at a recent meeting and faced “inappropriate” comments and gestures from some members of Wada’s executive committee.The Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion resigned from a Wada panel last month in protest at its highly controversial recommendation to end the suspension of Russia from international competition after a state-sponsored doping scandal. In her first interview since stepping down, Scott said the treatment she faced was “indicative of a general attitude of dismissal and belittling of the athlete voice”.In a statement, Wada admitted “tensions were running high” at last month’s meeting, and that the strong views on both sides of the debate “do affect the tone and atmosphere” but “the athletes’ voice was clearly heard”. It said Scott’s concerns “were being taken seriously”.BackgroundIn September the BBC revealed Wada’s leadership had secretly softened two key criteria to help bring Russia back into compliance after a three-year suspension.Once Russia agreed to comply, Wada’s compliance review committee (CRC) recommended reinstatement, prompting an outcry from many athletes and national anti-doping agencies.Scott, who is a former IOC member and one of the most high-profile athletes in the anti-doping movement, says she resigned because she “fundamentally disagreed” with her colleagues on the CRC.”I felt it was a compromise,” she said.”I don’t think it was acceptable to clean athletes, especially in light of the affront to clean sport that had taken place.”It was an altering of a ‘roadmap’ that was established by Wada in order to regain compliance. And it was basically a reversal of the conditions, so compliance was established before conditions had been met.”I think from an athletes’ perspective that is such an affront because no-one is altering rules and regulations to ensure athletes reach their goals or achieve their results.”

Former cross-country skier Beckie Scott is a three-time OlympianThey tried ‘to bully’Wada’s all-important 12-person executive committee then held a meeting in the Seychelles to formally approve Russia’s reinstatement. It was there, Scott claims, as she made a presentation, that she faced “upsetting” comments by some of the members representing the Olympic movement “definitely designed to denigrate, to belittle… and to bully”.”I felt an intense amount of pressure going into that meeting. There was laughter when I read out the list of athlete committees who were confronting the decision [over Russia],” she said.”At the time it was upsetting, and on reflection it’s a tactic, a manoeuvre and born out of a long-standing belief that athletes don’t have to be part of this conversation.”Scott says she was “disappointed” neither Wada’s president Sir Craig Reedie or director-general Olivier Niggli stepped in at the time. “There was no confrontation or challenging of that behaviour at the time it took place,” she said.”I think it’s indicative of the leadership of Wada’s alignment with the Olympic movement.”Wada head Reedie defends Russian reinstatement decisionWada’s responseWada said Scott had shared her concerns in writing with its leadership and they were being taken seriously, with Reedie already responding to her.However, it denied Scott’s suggestion its leadership had become aligned with the Olympic movement as “completely and demonstrably untrue”.”The leadership of Wada are independent and have shown time and time again that they make decisions exclusively in the best interests of the organisation and fight against doping,” it said. “In fact, this independence has led to criticism of of Wada leadership by the very bodies with whom Miss Scott claims they are aligned.”Russia has made a qualified admission that its government was involved in an intricate and extensive doping conspiracy. It has also agreed to turn over data and doping samples that could help corroborate positive tests, with Wada insisting Russia will be made non-compliant again if it fails to meet “strict conditions”. Scott accepts she did initially consider a means of breaking the deadlock that had developed with Russia over the terms for reinstatement, but became opposed once she understood the ramifications. The athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it “agreed in principle” with the ending of the suspension, and Wada has pointed out it was backed by a majority of government representatives. Reedie said some athletes did not fully understand Wada’s intentions, a suggestion Scott described as “quite offensive”.”Would we be having this conversation if it was a nation with far smaller resources or far smaller teams participating in Olympic Games? We are talking about a superpower in sport and the influence and pressure that they are able to exert, even within Wada, has been remarkable.”Scott says the time had come for far-reaching reforms of Wada’s governance, with athletes given a vote on the executive committee, as well as representatives of the Olympic movement and governments. “This is a real opportunity for change,” Scott said.”There has been an incredible loss of confidence and faith in the organisation. Athletes have been galvanised by this and expressed their frustration on a level I’ve never seen before.”We have fallen under the pressure of politics, and we need a return to integrity based decision-making. “If we go the way of sport just becoming a political arena then something is really lost and we’re in danger of that right now.”United States Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement: “Beckie Scott speaks for the huge majority – the silent majority – of athletes and fans when she says confidence in Wada has never been lower.”There is now a perceptible and deafening noise from the global athlete community for change.”AnalysisBeckie Scott is the nearest thing the Olympic and Paralympic athlete community has to a figurehead.A highly respected former IOC member, and the most senior athlete representative inside Wada, her explosive claims will be highly damaging for Wada’s beleaguered leadership as it faces an unprecedented backlash from western athletes over its decision to reinstate Russia.With some critics suggesting Wada lacks the independence from the Olympic movement to be fit for purpose, this will only add to the pressure that the regulator is now under. Especially a week after the US indicted seven Russian spies for hacking in connection with the alleged hacking of Wada officials.

Read More | BBC Sport

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her, in 2018-10-12 17:40:39

#Nature of Business in the Current Market

[blogwonderwebsites]

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her http://www.nature-business.com/nature-wada-anti-doping-campaigner-beckie-scott-says-officials-tried-to-bully-her/

Nature

Media playback is not supported on this device

Wada officials ‘disrespected’ me – Scott tells BBC sports editor Dan RoanThe chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) Athlete Committee says some of the organisation’s most senior officials tried to “bully” her over her opposition to Russian reinstatement.Beckie Scott told the BBC she was “treated with disrespect” at a recent meeting and faced “inappropriate” comments and gestures from some members of Wada’s executive committee.The Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion resigned from a Wada panel last month in protest at its highly controversial recommendation to end the suspension of Russia from international competition after a state-sponsored doping scandal. In her first interview since stepping down, Scott said the treatment she faced was “indicative of a general attitude of dismissal and belittling of the athlete voice”.In a statement, Wada admitted “tensions were running high” at last month’s meeting, and that the strong views on both sides of the debate “do affect the tone and atmosphere” but “the athletes’ voice was clearly heard”. It said Scott’s concerns “were being taken seriously”.BackgroundIn September the BBC revealed Wada’s leadership had secretly softened two key criteria to help bring Russia back into compliance after a three-year suspension.Once Russia agreed to comply, Wada’s compliance review committee (CRC) recommended reinstatement, prompting an outcry from many athletes and national anti-doping agencies.Scott, who is a former IOC member and one of the most high-profile athletes in the anti-doping movement, says she resigned because she “fundamentally disagreed” with her colleagues on the CRC.”I felt it was a compromise,” she said.”I don’t think it was acceptable to clean athletes, especially in light of the affront to clean sport that had taken place.”It was an altering of a ‘roadmap’ that was established by Wada in order to regain compliance. And it was basically a reversal of the conditions, so compliance was established before conditions had been met.”I think from an athletes’ perspective that is such an affront because no-one is altering rules and regulations to ensure athletes reach their goals or achieve their results.”

Former cross-country skier Beckie Scott is a three-time OlympianThey tried ‘to bully’Wada’s all-important 12-person executive committee then held a meeting in the Seychelles to formally approve Russia’s reinstatement. It was there, Scott claims, as she made a presentation, that she faced “upsetting” comments by some of the members representing the Olympic movement “definitely designed to denigrate, to belittle… and to bully”.”I felt an intense amount of pressure going into that meeting. There was laughter when I read out the list of athlete committees who were confronting the decision [over Russia],” she said.”At the time it was upsetting, and on reflection it’s a tactic, a manoeuvre and born out of a long-standing belief that athletes don’t have to be part of this conversation.”Scott says she was “disappointed” neither Wada’s president Sir Craig Reedie or director-general Olivier Niggli stepped in at the time. “There was no confrontation or challenging of that behaviour at the time it took place,” she said.”I think it’s indicative of the leadership of Wada’s alignment with the Olympic movement.”Wada head Reedie defends Russian reinstatement decisionWada’s responseWada said Scott had shared her concerns in writing with its leadership and they were being taken seriously, with Reedie already responding to her.However, it denied Scott’s suggestion its leadership had become aligned with the Olympic movement as “completely and demonstrably untrue”.”The leadership of Wada are independent and have shown time and time again that they make decisions exclusively in the best interests of the organisation and fight against doping,” it said. “In fact, this independence has led to criticism of of Wada leadership by the very bodies with whom Miss Scott claims they are aligned.”Russia has made a qualified admission that its government was involved in an intricate and extensive doping conspiracy. It has also agreed to turn over data and doping samples that could help corroborate positive tests, with Wada insisting Russia will be made non-compliant again if it fails to meet “strict conditions”. Scott accepts she did initially consider a means of breaking the deadlock that had developed with Russia over the terms for reinstatement, but became opposed once she understood the ramifications. The athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it “agreed in principle” with the ending of the suspension, and Wada has pointed out it was backed by a majority of government representatives. Reedie said some athletes did not fully understand Wada’s intentions, a suggestion Scott described as “quite offensive”.”Would we be having this conversation if it was a nation with far smaller resources or far smaller teams participating in Olympic Games? We are talking about a superpower in sport and the influence and pressure that they are able to exert, even within Wada, has been remarkable.”Scott says the time had come for far-reaching reforms of Wada’s governance, with athletes given a vote on the executive committee, as well as representatives of the Olympic movement and governments. “This is a real opportunity for change,” Scott said.”There has been an incredible loss of confidence and faith in the organisation. Athletes have been galvanised by this and expressed their frustration on a level I’ve never seen before.”We have fallen under the pressure of politics, and we need a return to integrity based decision-making. “If we go the way of sport just becoming a political arena then something is really lost and we’re in danger of that right now.”United States Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement: “Beckie Scott speaks for the huge majority – the silent majority – of athletes and fans when she says confidence in Wada has never been lower.”There is now a perceptible and deafening noise from the global athlete community for change.”AnalysisBeckie Scott is the nearest thing the Olympic and Paralympic athlete community has to a figurehead.A highly respected former IOC member, and the most senior athlete representative inside Wada, her explosive claims will be highly damaging for Wada’s beleaguered leadership as it faces an unprecedented backlash from western athletes over its decision to reinstate Russia.With some critics suggesting Wada lacks the independence from the Olympic movement to be fit for purpose, this will only add to the pressure that the regulator is now under. Especially a week after the US indicted seven Russian spies for hacking in connection with the alleged hacking of Wada officials.

Read More | BBC Sport

Nature Wada: Anti-doping campaigner Beckie Scott says officials tried ‘to bully’ her, in 2018-10-12 17:40:39

#Nature of Business in the Current Market

[disabilitynarrative]

This chapter takes as a central focus Barbie Becky Paralympic Champion (1999). Becky is one of the many Barbie dolls produced by the toy manufacturer Mattel and is a wheelchair user. For many young people these dolls can hold significant currency that contributes towards defining the ways in which they embody femininity (and/or masculinity). We draw on critical disability studies and queer theory to better understand how Becky disrupts and reproduces unified representations of the sporting female. The existence of Becky could be interpreted as a forward-thinking attempt by Mattel to diversify the range of identities available to young people. A more critical engagement with Becky demonstrates that she is nonetheless a product of a neo-liberal industry that reproduces patterns of inequality.

[womenanddisability]

This chapter takes as a central focus Barbie Becky Paralympic Champion (1999). Becky is one of the many Barbie dolls produced by the toy manufacturer Mattel and is a wheelchair user. For many young people these dolls can hold significant currency that contributes towards defining the ways in which they embody femininity (and/or masculinity). We draw on critical disability studies and queer theory to better understand how Becky disrupts and reproduces unified representations of the sporting female. The existence of Becky could be interpreted as a forward-thinking attempt by Mattel to diversify the range of identities available to young people. A more critical engagement with Becky demonstrates that she is nonetheless a product of a neo-liberal industry that reproduces patterns of inequality.

[barbielore]

In 1997, Mattel debuted Barbie's friend Becky as the doll "Share a Smile Becky", the first character in the Barbie range to use a wheelchair. She was a tie-in product for the National Parent Network on Disabilities and the National Lekotek Center.

Becky appeared in two subsequent releases: Becky, School Photographer and Becky, Paralympic Champion, in 1998 and 1999 respectively.

(Notice how Paralympic Champion Becky is holding a bottle of water! Stay hydrated, kids!)

Becky has not officially appeared since. There was some controversy about Becky upon release, partially because her release made it apparent that the Barbie Dreamhouse was not wheelchair accessible - Becky's chair could not fit through the front door, or the elevator of the Dreamhouse. This meant that Becky was not exactly compatible with other parts of the Barbie range.

Becky's lack of recent appearances does not mean there is no disability representation in the current Mattel lineup though. As a part of the Barbie fashionista range, there are now Barbie dolls with...

...prosthetic limbs...

...wheelchairs...

...and vitiligo!

#barbie #barbie fashionistas #share a smile becky #disability #wheelchair #mobility aid #becky school photographer #becky paralympic champion #ken

[qiidda-fiacyo]

Barbie Becky Paralympic Champion Barbie Doll Mattel 1999 NIP Wheelchair http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=2&toolid=10044&campid=5337410312&customid=&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&item=192196446734

#IFTTT #barbie

[lovecleverbreadcollectorfan]

Nottingham Post published Olympians head guest list for Ladies Day at Aegon Open Nottingham

Some of Nottinghamshire's biggest sports stars will swap their tracksuits for tea dresses as Ladies' Day returns to the Aegon Open Nottingham.Back for a second year, the event will welcome Paralympic silver medallist Charlotte Henshaw, as well as Olympic gymnast sisters Becky and Ellie Downie.Mansfield-born Henshaw visited the tournament as a youngster, and has happy memories of seeing two-time champion Greg Rusedski in action.Read more: Joss Rae reflects on win in Nottingham She said: "My...

from Nottingham Post All Content Feed http://www.nottinghampost.com/olympians-head-guest-list-for-ladies-day-at-aegon-open-nottingham/story-30388359-detail/story.html

#Nottingham Post All Content Feed

[barbielore]

I was always loosely under the impression that the first Olympic tie-in doll in the Barbie range was Olympic Gymnast Barbie for the 1996 Atlanta games, but as it turns out this is not the case.

The 1970s brought us "Gold Medal Barbie", including a range of different Olympic-themed outfits. To break down further, there were also a range of Barbies showing her and her friends competing in different events.

I believe, however, that Olympic Gymnast Barbie in 1996 was the first to be tied in to a specific Games, as well as the start of the trend of having Barbies representing the US in consecutive games going forward with specific tie-ins.

I have talked about Olympic Gymnast Barbie in many other posts before, because this is specifically a doll I remembered growing up with so she is always fresh in my mind.

If I talked about all the Summer and Winter Games tie-ins this would be such a long post that it would probably make people block on sight, so I'll save the Winter Games for a follow-up post.

Sydney 2000 had a wide range of dolls as tie-ins, including Swimming Champion Barbie, Paralympic Champion Becky, Olympic Fan Barbie and Olympic Pin Collector Barbie. There are probably several others as well that I have overlooked.

Barbie took a break again from the Games through 2004, 2008 and 2012 (though there are some non-Barbie fashion dolls produced by companies other than Mattel who are identified on reseller sites as a Barbie), making a kind of return in 2016 in a different way. Although there were no dolls that specifically tied into Barbie as a competitor, the 2016 Games inspired a few tie-in collectors Barbies in the likeness of specific Olympians.

Laurie Hernandez, a solo silver medalist and a team gold medalist gymnast at the Rio Games, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, bronze medalist fencer, were among the "Sheroes" honoured this way.

The 2020 (technically 2021) Games in Tokyo brought a new wave of Barbie competing as an athlete, in a variety of sports.

Most of her outfits heavily featured Barbie pink, alongside a Tokyo 2020 jersey.

No Barbies yet have dropped for Paris 2024, but I have to assume it is only a matter of time, as a range of athlete Barbies really fits with Mattel's branding of the doll right now.

#barbie #barbie history #vintage barbie #olympic barbies