A Paraguayan javelin thrower is one of the most photographed and talked about athletes of the Games so far - and she hasn't started competing yet.

Paraguay's Olympic team member Leryn Franco marches during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, August 8, 2008. [Agencies]

Leryn Franco was seen during the Opening Ceremony and journalists scrambled to find out more about her.

According to a Yahoo report she formerly placed second in the Miss Paraguay contest and entered the Miss Bikini Universe competition in 2006.

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens she was 42nd and supports her Olympic ambitions by modeling. The women's javelin competition begins on Tuesday.

"Modeling is a way for me to continue with my sport. The hours are flexible, and you can earn good money through photographic modeling and the catwalk," Franco was reported as saying.