“As a child, I would have loved to see Marie-José Pérec or Surya Bonaly Barbies”

She is one of the legends of French sport, an example for women and a role model for little girls. Estelle Mossely, Olympic boxing champion in Rio in 2016, set herself a challenge this summer, that of winning a medal at home, at the Paris 2024 Games. If her dream did not come true this time, the tricolor did honor to the blue-white-red flag by keeping the smile and humility that we know, she who raises her two young boys in parallel with her career.

An athlete committed to women's sport, an activist for the cause of women, she hopes to strike even harder by running for president of the French Boxing Federation, mired in scandals and controversies. And while her list was invalidated, the champion affirmed that she would not give up, ready to lead a new fight for the right to present herself and have a chance to win on December 14. A new example of the self-sacrifice of the one who explained to Paris Match last February: “ By boxing, I won my freedom. First of all my choices ».

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It is because she is a voice for women, sports or not, young and old, that Barbie chose her to represent its brand. Last May, the doll bearing his image was unveiled. Mattel then highlighted “its very similar values ​​aroundempowerment little girls, and around the importance of breaking stereotypes linked to the practice of sport “. Now a member of the Barbie family, Estelle Mossely participated in the writing of the book “ My Barbie Story », which celebrates the 65th anniversary of the legendary doll.

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« A way of’inspire more »

Paris Match. How was the project born?’a Barbie in your image ?
Estelle Mossley. For the 65e Barbie's birthday which fell on’year of the Olympic Games, Mattel paid tribute to diffandrentes athlAndyour across the world. barbie m’a contacted to be part of it. I think, in relation to all the values ​​that I’embodied and the values ​​that’they want to share with their audience. Obviously, I’I said yes straight away because for me Barbie is’is evocative of many things, memories of’childhood of course but’is also a way of sending messages toAnds of young audiences.

Why did you agree to participate in the book “My Barbie Story”?
It was important to’take part in it since it was in the continuity of this Barbie which had been made to my effigy. Cwas a way of’inspire more, to freeze things in time, a work is veryAnds good for that, and again d’insist on this image which must be that of tomorrow. In all the messages that will be conveyed to the youngest, show that’we can do it, that dreams are accessible, that’we must not lock ourselves into boxes. Me who is in a rather masculine sport’ordinary, it doesn't’did not prevent by rto succeed, to stand out and to do things but it doesleads

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Each Barbie tells a story, what is it?’accent that you wanted to put with yours ?
I wish to show that the field of possibilities is open to everyone. All the courses are inspiring, all the courses must be created with will, conviction, by being determined, by setting objectives, by giving yourself the means to succeed! All courses and all objectives are accessible for n’no matter who.

The day whereu j’had my first Barbie doll, it was at Christmas… I remember, I was super happy

Estelle Mossley

What are your childhood memories of Barbie doll?
At the time, like many little girls, I wanted a Barbie but my parents didn't’did not necessarily have the means to’buy gifts. And the dayu j’had my first Barbie doll, it was at Christmas… I remember, I was super happy! I thought I didn'twere never going to’to have so I was really so happy.

As society evolves, Barbies are becoming more and more inclusive and s’perfectly associated with the world of sport. What other athleticAndwould you like to be transformed into a doll? ?
Petite, jwould have loved to see Barbies “Marie-José Pérec » or “Surya Bonaly”, they were modAndthose who could reflect the fight against many things. Today’Today, Simone Biles embodies many things, beyond her immense sporting performances, her life story, mental health… Ada Hegerberg p’is also very committed to women's sport, has taken strong positions and has marked the’history by winning the 1st Ballon d’Or feminin.

Progress to be made

You are veryAndcommitted to women's sport, society has evolved but what progressAnds there is still work to be done on this subject ?
There is still a lot of progressAnds to do but what is good is’is that’there are quite a few things that are seeing the light of day. There are government regulations being put in place, there are mentalities changing, there are women who dare to do more and more things and also share their journey with the general public. Throughout time, there have been women who have dared, who have stood out in certain circles, but tongues are being loosened enormously and we understand that sharing all of this with the public can have an even stronger impact.

But there is still a lot of work, for example the salaries for equal skills will not be the same. It can also be the personal dimension that’will have a woman or a man to take a stand, to make decisions and to’assert in certain positions. And I'm seeing it right now with my application to the prresidence of the French boxing federation. Before even thinking higher, we must be convinced that’we can do it. Sometimes women’do not necessarily have this facility to convince themselves that’they have the capacitys, qu’they can do it and are completely legitimate to occupy an rUmbrellathe important one.

There is also less visibility and media coverage. Women often take a back seat; women's performances as a whole, whether in sport, music or elsewhere, are often less publicized than those of men.

Have you noticed that young girls are starting’now more easily boxing ?
Yes, young girls take up boxing much more easily andAnds the youngest age! C’is an observation that I’was able to do recently when I went just before the Olympic Games to a schoolcole to speak to kindergarteners. Among the children, there were little girls who’said trAnds naturally “I do boxing » ! So that's’is trAnds positive, it encourages us to continue progressAnds to facilitate their reception in sports structures.