South Korea’s Kim Yeji prepares to compete in the 25m pistol precision women’s qualification round at the Paris Olympics 2024, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Chateauroux, France. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji, who gained global fame for her confidence and style during the Paris Olympics, was taken to a hospital after fainting during a press conference, officials said Friday.
The 31-year-old won silver in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event in Paris last week, and her ultra-calm demeanor, combined with her wire-rimmed shooting glasses and baseball cap, made her a worldwide online sensation — drawing praise from celebrities such as X owner Elon Musk.
The star shooter suddenly collapsed while speaking to reporters in a southern town on Friday and was sent to hospital, local officials said.
A spokesman for Imsil County told AFP that Kim had “recovered” after the incident and has since been transferred to a general hospital in Jeonju, approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles) north of Imsil.
“We have been informed by emergency aid workers that she does not require serious treatment,” the spokesman said.
Another official said she would undergo a medical check-up.
Silver medalist, South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji poses on the podium at the end of the 10m air pistol women’s Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)
Her coach, Kwak Min-su, told local reporters that Kim had no underlying health issues and had been dealing with “accumulated fatigue” along with a very hectic schedule since mid-July.
Since her silver-medal win, a short clip showing Kim — which in fact shows her at the Baku World Cup in May, not Paris — has gone viral, spawning fan art as well as multiple edits setting the clip to K-pop music, and endless memes, including some discussing her unique “aura”.
Despite being a strong favorite for gold in the 25-metre event, an error during the qualifying round — failing to take her shot within the required three-second window and scoring zero — prevented her from advancing to the finals.
She has since apologized for making a “big mistake” and “disappointing” her fans.