South Korean Olympic silver medalist Kim Ye-ji, who captured global attention with her distinctive appearance and composed demeanour at the Paris Games, suffered a dramatic collapse during a news conference on Friday, 9 August. The incident, attributed to stress and exhaustion, occurred as Kim addressed the media in Imsil, the county she has represented for seven years in southern South Korea.
The 31-year-old pistol shooter, who clinched silver in the 10-meter air pistol event, had been speaking at the event when she suddenly lost consciousness, according to a county official who spoke to reporters via telephone. Contrary to some initial media reports, the official clarified that Kim did not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Kim swiftly regained consciousness and was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical assessment. The county representative stated that she would remain under observation until fully recovered, citing the likelihood of exhaustion following her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics as the primary cause of her collapse.
The incident has sparked concern among fans and fellow athletes, highlighting the intense pressures faced by Olympic competitors in the aftermath of their performances. Kim’s sudden rise to fame, coupled with a whirlwind of media appearances and public engagements, may have contributed to her physical strain.
Kim’s journey to stardom has been meteoric. Her unique futuristic glasses, designed to enhance precision in shooting, and her cool, collected style earned her the moniker “smiling assassin” in her home country. This distinctive image catapulted her into the realm of social media sensation, attracting attention far beyond the sporting world.
The shooter’s popularity reached new heights when Tesla CEO Elon Musk commented on her appearance, suggesting she “should be cast in an action movie. No acting required!” Kim acknowledged Musk’s role in amplifying her fame just two days before her collapse, thanking him via social media on Wednesday, 7 August.
