Alica Schmidt, dubbed by many as the “world’s sexiest athlete”, saw her Olympic Games come to an end in disappointing fashion on Friday.
The German track star and her team came up short in the women’s 4x400m relay, finishing seventh in the second heat of Friday’s preliminary round.
Given only the top four teams in the first and second heats qualify for the finals, it means that Schmidt’s time at the Olympic Games is over.
Schmidt and the German team crossed the line with a time of 3:26.95, while Jamaica, who won the heat, finished with a 3:24.92.
Netherlands, Ireland and Canada grabbed the remaining qualifying spots from the heat.
The first heat was won by USA, who posted the fastest time – 3:21.44 – despite Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone not running. Great Britain, France and Belgium were the other qualifiers.
Schmidt has a social media following
Schmidt came to the Olympic Gams with increased attention given she boosts over seven million followers between her Instagram and TikTok pages.
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She was involved in some team drama just last week, as some of German compatriots were frustrated at her inclusion in the mixed 4x400m relay. Germany finished seventh and were eliminated.
“Yes, I am the second fastest 400m athlete on paper. No, I was not nominated for the mixed relay,” teammate Luna Bulmahn wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post.
Bulmahn’s boyfriend, Jean Paul Bredau, also shared his disappointment at Schmidt’s inclusion.
“A few decisions were made that not everyone approved. The DLV [German Athletics Association] made it very clear: the fastest four should run. A different decision was made,” he wrote on Instagram and then deleted.
While Bradau apologized and was allowed to compete in the relay, Bulmahn was removed from the women’s team.