Alica Schmidt dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete,’ secures her spot on the German team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Her qualification in the mixed 4x400m relay came after an impressive performance at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas. However, her journey to this point was fraught with significant hurdles. Schmidt was disappointed at not competing in the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo which led her to take a brief hiatus from the sport. But fueled by determination, she returned to intense training, setting her sights squarely on the 2024 Olympics.

Alica Schmidt also stands out as the most followed female track and field athlete, boasting 5 million Instagram followers, surpassing even fastest woman Sha’Carri Richardson‘s 3 million followers. However, in 2022, she disclosed the underlying significance of social media while shedding light on the challenging realities of the track and field world.

Athletes’ social media blueprint for fame and fortune

Over the last decade, athletes have increasingly recognized the value of harnessing social media to enhance their visibility and cultivate their personal brands. Alica shared her views on this to Olympics.com in 2022, that aptly captures the essence of this shift, acknowledging the necessity for athletes to actively engage with social media to secure sponsorship deals, “especially in Germany to live from athletics“ where sustaining oneself solely through athletics can be challenging.

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As she puts it, “a lot of athletes have to do another job to live from that and do the training. And yeah that’s a great thing to do a social media on the side so you can get some more sponsors.” She emphasizes the dual nature of an athlete’s life, wherein they must not only excel in their sport but also navigate the demands of building a digital presence to augment their income.

Balancing the roles of being an athlete and social media influencer presents its challenges, yet Alica remains steadfast in her dedication to her sport. While she acknowledges, “But I also love to do some model jobs or take people with me on social media.” She says, “It’s a big hobby of mine and I love to do that. But the main focus is sports.” Despite the allure of potential financial gains and personal interests outside of athletics, her primary focus remains squarely on training and competition as seen through her achievements

Alica Schmidt’s athletic evolution

Alica Schmidt started her athletic journey with competitions in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter events, Schmidt’s versatility quickly became apparent. However, it was in 2018 that she truly diversified her repertoire by venturing into the 400-meter hurdles. Her early career saw her honing her skills at MTV Ingolstadt, laying the groundwork for what was to come. In 2017, Schmidt’s talent began to shine brightly on the competitive stage.

Securing second place in the 200-meter event at the under-20s German Championship was just the beginning. At the European Athletics U20 Championships, she played a pivotal role in the German 4 × 400 meters relay team, clinching a remarkable second place. Schmidt’s journey culminated in her selection for prestigious events like the European Athletics Indoor Championships. However, as she moves to the Paris Olympics, she solidifies her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics.