Alica Schmidt has over 3 million followers on Instagram Photo: Gladys Chai from the Laage
From BZ/dpa
Despite her diverse social media activities and a large fan community, 400-meter runner Alica Schmidt sees herself primarily as a competitive athlete.
The 23-year-old from SCC Berlin is part of the German squad for the upcoming World Championships in Athletics in the USA.
“You just have to set priorities, and for me it’s definitely the sport. Everything else comes after that, and I build that around it,” said Schmidt of the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the German championships in Berlin at the end of June. “I wouldn’t see myself as an influencer. I’m an athlete and I’m happy that so many people are following me.”
Schmidt has 3.1 million fans on Instagram. Sponsors have also taken notice of her, and she has challenged soccer stars Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain and Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund to races.
At the World Championships in Eugene from July 15th to 24th, the third of the German championships in the 4 × 400 meter relay should be used, but possibly also in the mixed relay on the first day of the World Championships.
“I’m really looking forward to the experience. I’ve never been to a World Cup,” said Schmidt in her most recent YouTube video from last Sunday.