Alica Schmidt: Redefining Speed and Strength Beyond the Track

Early Life and Rise in Athletics

Born on 8 November 1998 in Worms, Germany, Alica Megan Schmidt grew up with a passion for running and athletics. She took up track at a young age and competed in various sprint and middle-distance events (200 m, 400 m, even 400 m hurdles) as she developed her athletic skillset.

Her first international breakthrough came in 2017 when she was part of the German 4 × 400 m relay team that won the silver medal at the European Athletics U20 Championships. Wikipedia+1 Two years later, she helped her country secure a bronze in the same discipline at the European Athletics U23 Championships in 2019.

Alica’s steady progression in the sport has been both consistent and marked by important milestones:

• At the U20 level (2017) she and her team finished second in the 4 × 400 m.
• At the U23 level (2019) she earned a bronze medal in the same relay. 
• In February 2021 she recorded an indoor personal best of 53.53 s in the 400 m.
• She qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris via the mixed 4 × 400 m relay through her performance at the world relays in the Bahamas. 
• Her club affiliation is with SCC Berlin and she has been coached under Sven Buggel among others.
• While she is still chasing individual medals at major global championships, her relay results and steady improvement signal her importance in German athletics and her potential for future success.

Career Developments & Broader Roles

Beyond simply competing, Alica Schmidt has taken on additional roles that reflect her athletic credibility and influence:

She worked as a fitness coach for the German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund during the 2020–21 season. 

She has also adapted her competition focus: while the 400 m has been her primary event, she announced that after Paris she will broaden to the 800 m distance (while still retaining the 400 m) in pursuit of greater endurance challenges. 

With a significant social-media presence (over 5 million followers on Instagram) and endorsement work (including major brands like Puma), her profile is much larger than just track performance.

Advocacy, Influence & Off-Track Impact

What sets Alica Schmidt apart is how she leverages her platform for wider influence and how she addresses issues beyond the track:

Mentorship & Athlete Development

In recognition of her own journey—including the challenges of access, training, and financial support—she founded the Alica Schmidt Next Gen Athlete Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to “discover, nurture and support young athletes” by providing scholarships, elite coaching, mentorship, and financial aid to those who might otherwise be constrained by resources. 

This advocacy work suggests she sees her role as more than just competing: it’s about creating enabling structures for the next generation of athletes.

Promoting Resilience, Health & Positivity

Schmidt has been vocal about the importance of perseverance and self-belief. For example, after qualifying for Paris she wrote: “No matter how big your dreams are, if you stay committed and believe in yourself, good things will come your way.”

Her social media content often highlights fitness (not just sprint speed), healthy lifestyle, training discipline, and mental resilience. She thereby serves as a role model for young people who may look at athletics (or fitness itself) as a path to personal growth.

Fair Play & Clean Sport

Schmidt also shared an anecdote of being unexpectedly called late at night for anti-doping control, while at a movie theatre: “Doping control called me last night while I was at the movies… I had to leave 30 minutes into the film, but luckily I saw the call!”

By bringing visibility to the behind-the-scenes demands of clean sport (availability, vigilance), she helps demystify what it means to be an elite athlete—and reinforces the idea that integrity is part of performance.

Why Her Story Matters

Alica Schmidt is emblematic of a modern athlete who combines sport performance, personal branding, and social purpose. Her journey matters for several reasons:

From promise to platform: Her early relay successes gave her a base; her shift to longer distances shows adaptability and ambition.

Beyond medals: While individual global titles remain goals, her advocacy and mentorship work highlight how athletes can contribute meaningfully off the track.

Role model power: Through her social-media presence and public statements, she gives younger athletes (and non-athletes) a tangible image of discipline, training, setbacks, comebacks, and broad engagement.

Bridging resource gaps: Her foundation addresses often-underappreciated aspects of athletics: access to high-quality coaching, financial support, mentorship—all of which can be decisive in an athlete’s career but may be under-resourced.

Looking Ahead

As Schmidt transitions into the 800 m event and continues at the international level, key questions for her future include:

Can she convert her raw talent into individual podium finishes at major championships (e.g., world championships, Olympics)?

Will her foundation scale its impact across borders and thereby amplify her advocacy footprint?

How will she balance athletic commitments, brand partnerships, and philanthropy in a demanding schedule?

Whatever the specific outcomes, Alica Schmidt stands out as an athlete whose influence spans track lanes, social media feeds, and the lives of aspiring young sportspeople.

In summary: 

Alica Schmidt is not only a talented German sprinter whose relay medals and Olympic qualification reflect a high level of achievement, she is also a modern athlete-advocate. Her commitment to nurturing future generations, promoting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, and embodying the values of clean sport and resilience make her story compelling and relevant well beyond the stopwatch.

Cheerio!