Last year, Schmidt transitioned from her specialized 400m race to double the distance, the 800m.

Alica Schmidt competes at the German Athletics Championships in Dresden. Photo: IMAGO

Alica Schmidt competes at the German Athletics Championships in Dresden. Photo: IMAGO

This shift resulted in a significant increase in her weekly training, from 10-15 km to 100 km, which includes high-altitude training sessions in South Africa.

"I've been eating considerably more, simply because I'm very hungry after running such long distances, especially at altitude," Schmidt told Bild while competing at the German Athletics Championships in Dresden.

Despite the increased training and a shift in focus from strength to endurance, Schmidt admits she hasn't fully adapted to the 800m, a race requiring far greater stamina than the 400m.

"I have an advantage in speed and strength, but there are many endurance-related factors I still need to improve, and that's very clear," the 26-year-old athlete stated.

Schmidt (right) after the 4x400m relay at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Schmidt (right) after the 4x400m relay at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Last weekend, Schmidt finished third in the first heat of the 800m with a time of 2 minutes and 6.47 seconds, failing to qualify for the final.

In addition to these challenges, the German athlete revealed she had been impacted by lingering effects of Covid-19 and felt slightly unwell just before the competition. "I had Covid-19 and now I'm a bit tired. I still tried not to miss this important competition, even though I knew my body hadn't fully recovered," she expressed.

The 2025 German Athletics Championships (Deutsche Leichtathletik‑Meisterschaften) took place from 31/7 to 3/8 at the Heinz‑Steyer‑Stadion in Dresden. The event was part of Die Finals - Dresden 2025, the first time multi-discipline events (like heptathlon and decathlon) were integrated with individual events.

Despite missing the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo in September, Schmidt affirmed she hasn't given up on the 800m and has her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Born on 8/11/1998 in Worms, Germany, Schmidt began her career in the 400m and relays. She made an impression winning silver with the German 4x400m relay team at the 2017 European U20 Championships. In 2019, she continued to win bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay at the European U23 Championships.

The 26-year-old got her first tattoo to commemorate her first Olympic appearance. At the games in France in August 2024, Schmidt participated in both the 4x400m mixed relay and the 4x400m women's relay. At the 2021 Olympics, she was a reserve athlete.

Schmidt has over 5 million followers on social media. Photo: Instagram / Alica Schmidt

Schmidt has over 5 million followers on social media. Photo: Instagram / Alica Schmidt

Schmidt is known not only as a professional athlete but also as a media figure with over 5 million followers on Instagram. She was named the "world's sexiest athlete" by Busted Coverage magazine in 2017 and is a familiar face in advertising campaigns for sports brands like Puma. She has also been invited to international events, fashion shoots, and has contributed to changing the traditional image of track and field.

In 2021, Schmidt defeated fellow German footballer Mats Hummels in a race. She also challenged Erling Haaland to a 400m race.

Hong Duy (According to Bild)