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SHE is one of the most recognisable sports stars on the planet and she leads a lifestyle many of her peers will be envious about.

Alica Schmidt has transcended the world of track and field, in part, because of her stunning model looks.

Alica Schmidt has transcended athletics to be one of sports most popular stars
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Alica Schmidt has transcended athletics to be one of sports most popular stars
Schmidt's stunning looks and long legs have earned her a modelling deal
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Schmidt's stunning looks and long legs have earned her a modelling dealCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd
German runner Schmidt will be seen at Paris 2024 in the mixed 4 x 400m relay
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German runner Schmidt will be seen at Paris 2024 in the mixed 4 x 400m relayCredit: PA

So it was no surprise when Boss chose her to front her own capsule collection of sportswear.

She also appeared on the catwalk for the clothing giant at Milan Fashion Week, where she rubs shoulders with fashion's elite.

Schmidt, 25, has rubbed shoulders with football superstar Neymar, as well as boxing hero Anthony Joshua.

When she races at Paris 2024 in the mixed 4 x 400m, expect viewing figures to shoot up as fast as viewer's pulses.

Read more Olympic news

What a life

There's no disguising Schmidt's beauty.

It has made her fodder for fashion campaigns, online endorsements, social media gold with five million Instagram followers, and a magnet for sport's most famous.

Brands, including Puma who endorse her, are enamoured by her and she receives invites to the most exclusive launches.

In 2022, she was at an electric car unveiling for the Next.e.GO Wave X Mobile car in Berlin.

There, she met former PSG star Neymar and the pair posed for photos .

Before that, she trained alongside several Borussia Dortmund players in 2020.

World's sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down 'high six figures' sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a month

Schmidt performed a series of lunges and stretches alongside Thomas Meunier, Felix Passlack and Manchester City star Manuel Akanji.

She then gave Mats Hummels a 400m race, her speciality, and left him trailing behind her.

Amusingly, that prompted Hummels to react: "I really underestimated that."

Neymar hangs out with Schmidt at an electric car launch
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Neymar hangs out with Schmidt at an electric car launchCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
In a hilarious video for Borussia Dortmund Schmidt challenged Mats Hummels to a race
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In a hilarious video for Borussia Dortmund Schmidt challenged Mats Hummels to a raceCredit: YouTube / Borussia Dortmund
Schmidt is sponsored by sportswear giant Puma
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Schmidt is sponsored by sportswear giant PumaCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd / Puma
Schmidt lives a glam lifestyle and spends a lot of time on red carpets around the globe
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Schmidt lives a glam lifestyle and spends a lot of time on red carpets around the globeCredit: PA

Friends in high places

Schmidt is a regular at Milan Fashion Week, where she has taken on the role of model and hung out with Anthony Joshua in the past.

Standing at nearly 5ft 8in, the leggy blonde didn't look out of place as she strutted her stuff on the catwalk for Hugo Boss last September.

Instead of leisure wear, she modelled the brand's high-end fashion, including a retro oversized pant suit.

She shared a video of the moment on her TikTok to her two million followers.

Her huge following online, as well as the endorsements and appearances she make help buffer her wealth considerably.

Despite her successes on the track, she revealed that the German sports foundation pay her just £600-per-month.

However, despite that sum she has her morals when it comes to picking who she partners up with.

She told Bild: "Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand. But I wasn't 100 per cent behind it. I don't feel comfortable with that. That would have been in the mid to high six figures for a campaign."

Schmidt also highlighted the difficulty of making a living in her homeland as an athlete.

Anthony Joshua and Schmidt hang out at Milan Fashion Week
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Anthony Joshua and Schmidt hang out at Milan Fashion WeekCredit: //www.instagram.com/alicasmd/
Schmidt has previously spoken about how hard it is to make a living as an athlete
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Schmidt has previously spoken about how hard it is to make a living as an athleteCredit: EPA
Boss pay Schmidt a tidy sum to endorse their brand
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Boss pay Schmidt a tidy sum to endorse their brandCredit: Instagram @alicasmd
Schmidt models for Hugo Boss at Milan Fashion Week last September
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Schmidt models for Hugo Boss at Milan Fashion Week last September

What's happening today at The Games?

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...

TODAY'S BRIT MEDAL HOPES

Freestyle BMX world and European champ Kieran Reilly will be aiming to add the Olympic title to his collection (12.40pm).

Team GB’s men and women will both be in contention in the rowing quadruple sculls finals (11.25am).

BRITS TO WATCH

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix - daughter of First Dates star Fred - and Lois Toulson go in the 10m synchro diving final (10am).

In the hockey, Team GB’s women know a win against South Africa is vital after starting with defeats to Spain and Australia (9.30am).

Commonwealth bronze medallist Jemima Yeats-Brown begins her -70kg judo campaign, two years on from losing her sister Jenny to brain cancer (9.20am).

GLOBAL STARS TODAY

The all-star USA men’s basketball team, featuring LeBron James and Steph Curry, face Olympic debutants South Sudan (8pm).

The 100m men’s freestyle final could be a classic with Tokyo champ Caeleb Dressel, new 200m gold medallist David Popovici plus Brits Duncan Scott and Matthew Richards all in contention (9.15pm).

And Jessica Fox could win her second gold of Paris 2024 if she defends her C1 canoe slalom from three years ago (4.25pm).

FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

The beach volleyball is always spectacular viewing at any Olympics but this year even more so - because it is being played at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

There are matches all throughout the day from 8am to 9pm.

Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.

Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.

She said: "In principle, I have to say that it is not easy for most German track and field athletes to make a living from sport.

"Of course there is money to be made through competitions. In most competitions you don't make any money.

"Personally, I couldn't live on these amounts alone, because for many competitions you still have travel and hotel costs, which aren't always covered.

"Most of us study part-time in order to build up a second source of income, or even have mini-jobs that we do on the side."

Let's not forget...

Despite her social media being awash with bikini images and an enviable lifestyle and fun beach days, it has to be recognised that Schmidt is an Olympic athlete.

She was in Tokyo for the last Games, but she didn't compete.

While at the 2022 European Athletic Championships, Schmidt was part of a German team that finished fifth in the final of the 4 × 400 metres relay event.

In an interview previously with SunSport, she told us: "I think all that matters is my performance and what I bring to the table that counts.

"I’m focusing on what I want to achieve as an athlete and I try not to let people's perception of me dictate my behaviour or opportunities.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Schmidt boasts five million Instagram followers
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Schmidt boasts five million Instagram followers
A further two million followers keep up with Schmidt's lifestyle on TikTok
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A further two million followers keep up with Schmidt's lifestyle on TikTok
Schmidt accepts she has to find additional work to supplement her athletics career
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Schmidt accepts she has to find additional work to supplement her athletics careerCredit: //www.instagram.com/alicasmd/
Stunner Schmidt is hoping her athletics career defines her
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Stunner Schmidt is hoping her athletics career defines herCredit: Getty

"I'm lucky I have such an amazing support system around me and can listen to them and their advice, and at the end of the day I'll always try to only do the things that make me happy and fulfilled."

An Olympic medal would help too.

Schmidt has seen her popularity soar over the years
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Schmidt has seen her popularity soar over the yearsCredit: //www.instagram.com/stories/alicasmd/3079307409486781535/
The German athlete regularly shares snaps with her followers
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The German athlete regularly shares snaps with her followersCredit: Instagram
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