I’m the world’s sexiest athlete and rub shoulders with Neymar.. I’m proud of my achievements and want to inspire kids

GERMAN Athletics star Alica Schmidt has over 3million followers on Instagram.

But the 23-year-old runner has insisted she only wants to be “perceived as an athlete” despite being known as the world’s sexiest athlete.

Schmidt was snubbed from Germany’s Olympics team last summer when she was was an unused substitute for the 4x400m mixed relay event.

But despite limited success on the track, Schmidt has shot to stardom off it.

She was spotted hanging out with Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar last month, and has been picking up gigs in TV and modelling alongside her running.

Speaking to on rubbing shoulders with global megastars, Schmidt said: “These are all moments and experiences that I really appreciate.”

Schmidt was pictured alongside Neymar and wrote on her account “Should we race each other?”

A sprint battle never came to fruition, but Schmidt is still hoping to race the 30-year-old Brazilian one day.

She said: “He shied a bit, but he really has a lot of appointments and who knows, maybe he’ll still do it after all.”

Schmidt has even rejected an offer to appear in Playboy in the past, and revealed she wants to be a source of inspiration to kids hoping to get into athletics.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

When asked whether she would rather be a model or athlete, Schmidt said: “I just want to be perceived as an athlete, I want to inspire young people and give them an insight into my beautiful sport. 

“The fact that I get to meet so many incredibly interesting people is still unbelievable for me and I am infinitely grateful for all these experiences.”

Schmidt is targeting a medal at the German Athletics Championships in Berlin later this week, where she is set to run in the 400m.

She is also targeting glory in both relay and individual events at the at the European Championships in Munich later this year.

But alongside her athletics career, Schmidt is studying media and communication management.

When quizzed on how she keeps up with all her training, studies and social media, Schmidt said: “I’m not following a plan or strategy, I post because I enjoy it and when I feel like it. 

“I don’t put any pressure or stress on myself to always have to deliver something new. My friend Fredi still takes my photos and my manager Marcel takes care of everything else. 

“But I always answer the questions and comments on Insta myself, it’s like modern autograph mail. This is very important to me.”