South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji was taken to a hospital after collapsing during a press conference, officials said Friday.
The star shooter, 31, suddenly fainted while speaking to reporters in a southern town in South Korea on Friday and was sent to a nearby medical centre, 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 18 miles north of Imsil.
‘We have been informed by emergency aid workers that she does not require serious treatment,’ the spokesman said.
Kim won silver in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event in Paris last week, and her ultra-calm demeanour and outfit made her a worldwide online sensation, drawing praise from celebrities such as X owner Elon Musk.
An official said she had ‘recovered’ but would undergo a medical check after fainting
Kim Ye-ji spoke to reporters at a press conference in South Korea on Friday
The sharp-shooter had gone viral for her composed performance in the 10m air pistol event
She collapsed suddenly after fainting and was taken to a nearby hospital in Jeonju
Officials rush to Kim’s aid after she collapsed at the press conference in Imsil
Another official told reporters Kim would undergo a medical check up after fainting at the conference.
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’.
Kim wore futuristic glasses, a cold look and a stuffed elephant toy dangling from her waist, catapulting her to instant stardom.
Shooting federation boss Luciano Rossi, who has had meetings with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on how to raise shooting’s profile, praised Kim for bringing attention to the sport at the time.
‘This is really very important for us,’ he said.
‘After my election, I met with the IOC and they said maybe the most important thing is social media.’
Kim was among the field in the women’s 10m air pistol event at Chateauroux Shooting Centre
South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji pictured competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji has become a global online sensation
Shooting’s new crop of Olympic champions appear to recognise that and are quite social media-savvy.
Despite being a strong favourite 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 Kim from advancing to the finals.
She has since apologised for making a ‘big mistake’ and ‘disappointing’ her fans.
Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikeç also went viral on social media for his seemingly casual attitude while shooting his way to a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics.
The sight of former Turkish Gendarmerie officer Dikec shooting in a no-frills attire launched an avalanche of cool-dude memes turning the 51-year-old into an overnight celebrity.
