Alica Schmidt, dubbed the ‘world’s sexist athlete’, crashes OUT of the Olympic women’s 4x400m relay heats as Germany fail to reach the final

Alica Schmidt, dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest athlete’, failed to qualify for the Olympic women’s 4x400m relay final with Germany after they finished seventh in their race.

Jamaica topped the heat with a scintillating time of 3:24.92 while the Netherlands, Ireland and Canada also progressed after a tense dash down the final straight.

Only the top four from the second heat qualified with the rest of the competitors – including Schmidt and her three team-mates – brutally eliminated.

Schmidt collected the baton from Skadi Schier before embarking on her leg but a sluggish start out of the blocks from Germany left them out of contention.

The 25-year-old had realised her Olympic dream last week after competing in the mixed 4x400m relay – but quickly became embroiled in drama in Paris.

Schmidt and her German team-mates finished a disappointing seventh in the second heat

She was picked ahead of fellow 400m runner Luna Bulmahn in a surprise decision by selectors, leading the latter to openly voice her irritation on social media.

Schmidt’s call-up also meant Bulmahn was unable to race alongside her boyfriend Jean Paul Bredau and the athlete was quickly dropped after her complaints.

Bulmahn was expected to start in the women’s 4x400m at the Stade de France but was once again absent as Germany stuttered to another disappointing finish. 

Placing Schmidt’s mixed relay inclusion in the spotlight, Bulmahn said: ‘Yes, I am the second fastest 400m athlete on paper. No, I was not nominated for the mixed relay.’

Bredau even suggested his girlfriend’s omission had affected his performance.

‘Not everything went perfectly beforehand,’ he said. ‘That’s why I didn’t have the energy. A few decisions were made that not everyone approved. 

Australian magazine ‘Busted Coverage’ gave her the title of ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ in 2017

She was embroiled in drama in Paris after being selected ahead of Luna Bulmahn (right)

‘The DLV made it clear: the fastest four should run. A different decision was made.’ 

Schmidt also travelled with Germany to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a substitute for the 4x400m relay but didn’t compete as her side came fourth.

Having joined the team since, she was part of the squad that came fifth in the final of the 4x400m relay at the 2022 European Athletics Championships. 

She was crowned ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ by Australian magazine ‘Busted Coverage’ in 2017 and received a major increase in social media followers.

Schmidt currently boasts over five million on Instagram.