A charismatic positioning on the grand stage of the Olympics can provide several prizes, apart from the medal and numbers in the purse. Ask Kim Ye-ji, the South Korean shooter who went viral during the Paris Olympics. If she had simply claimed the silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol event without adding any flair, her profile would have undoubtedly grown in the sport, both nationally and internationally. However, it was her unique style on the grandest stage that earned her widespread attention, giving her a sensational reputation. Her composed, ‘cold’ demeanor has since opened new doors, not just as an Olympic shooter but in front of the camera, where she’ll embody the same persona in a different capacity.

The latest update reveals that Olympic shooter Kim Ye-ji will take on the role of an assassin in an upcoming film project. This move was anticipated by many after her captivating performance in Paris. Interestingly, Kim isn’t the first Olympian to receive an offer for a role on the silver screen; several others have leaped acting as well.

Gabby Douglas and other Olympic stars who earned offers from the silver screen 

Kim Ye-ji’s ‘ultra-calm’ avatar impressed Elon Musk heavily. Especially her style—wearing a baseball cap and customized wire-rimmed shooting glasses—made the tech mogul say, “She should be cast in an action movie. No acting required!” Now, Ye-ji is set to imitate the role the fans have wanted her to be—an assassin. But such an urge to see the Olympians on a bigger screen has once brought several names into the glamor world. The list is nothing short of enticing.

Gabby Douglas 

After claiming the Olympic all-around title in women’s artistic gymnastics as the first Black athlete, Gabby Douglas found herself in the limelight. Standing in 2012, pulling off such a feat by a Black gymnast could not be imagined because historically, the Black community faced a low representation in gymnastics. So naturally, fans started to take an interest in Gabby’s upbringing and lifestyle. The result was The Gabby Douglas Story, a full-scale movie about her life. Released in 2014, the movie is available on Amazon Prime. 

Johnny Weissmuller

An accidental swimmer, a bodybuilder, an Olympic champion, and a phenomenal water polo player—Johnny Weissmuller had several titles and those once made him a figure to be followed. He had five Olympic gold medals and a bronze in water polo from the 1924 Olympic Games. However, his larger-than-life frame earned him several offers from the movie producers. The first one in that lot was Glorifying the American Girl. Later, his image settled in the hearts of his fans as Tarzan for his role in Tarzan the Ape Man. 

Lolo Jones

In the 2008 Olympic Games, Lolo Jones competed in the women’s 100m hurdles event, finishing her race in 12.43 seconds. However, the LSU Tigers athlete landed her first television role in 2014, playing an airport gate attendant in the Left Behind movie series. Since then, she has had several opportunities to portray characters on the silver screen.

Cathy Freeman 

In the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Cathy Freeman was a prominent figure. She lit the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony and went on to win gold in the women’s 400m event. Coming from the Australian Aboriginal community, her achievement was extraordinary. This feat was later celebrated when she appeared on the television series Who Do You Think You Are? where she uncovered her roots. In a remarkable revelation, Cathy discovered that her mother had English, Chinese, and Australian Aboriginal heritage.

Katarina Witt

A champion figure skater who has embraced every moment of fame—such words perfectly describe Katarina Witt’s legacy. Born in what was then East Germany, Witt claimed two consecutive Olympic gold medals (1984 and 1988) in the ladies’ singles event. However, her television fame came later, in 2013, with the made-for-TV movie The Stalker, which featured elements of her life story. Witt played the lead role in the film.

Besides these Olympians, a few more athletes have tested their acting skills on screen after their Olympic careers. Jeremy Abbott is one of them. The American figure skater represented his nation in two Winter Olympics and also appeared in theater and several television programs. Now, Kim Ye-ji joins this club with her distinctive style, much to the delight of her fans.