German Track Star Alica Schmidt Ends Swiss Training Project
The Olympian has returned to Berlin to focus entirely on her transition to the 800-meter event.
German track and field star Alica Schmidt has announced the end of her international training project in Switzerland after seven months. In an emotional statement shared on social media, the athlete explained that constant traveling between Germany and Switzerland became unsustainable both athletically and mentally.
Schmidt stated that she decided with a heavy heart to conclude the project abroad. She noted that while it was a wonderful period, the frequent commuting ultimately proved to be far too much to handle alongside her professional athletic demands.
To maximize her athletic performance, the runner has moved back to her familiar environment in Berlin and reunited with her former coach. She expressed happiness over being welcomed back, noting that staying in one fixed place and returning to her usual routine has provided much-needed relief.
The primary motivation behind the training shift is athletic progression. Following her transition from the 400-meter discipline to the more challenging 800-meter race, Schmidt aims to build necessary consistency in the German capital for upcoming competitions.
An Olympian who competed in the mixed relay at the Paris Games in 2024, Schmidt expressed excitement regarding her upcoming preparations. She is eager to discover what she can achieve over the 800-meter distance during the upcoming season.
The major training update follows a recent birthday getaway to the Austrian Alps. The athlete celebrated her birthday with her best friend at a wellness hotel in Leogang, located in the Salzburg region, sharing highlights of the scenic mountain landscape with her followers.
During her alpine retreat, Schmidt shared a photograph of a local lake reflecting the surrounding peaks and revealed that the water temperature was a chilly four degrees Celsius. After briefly testing the icy waters, she returned her attention to the demands of her athletic career.
Recognized globally as one of Germany's most prominent track athletes, Schmidt earned a silver medal with the 4x400-meter relay team at the 2007 European U20 Championships and a bronze medal at the 2019 European U23 Championships. With her return to Berlin and renewed focus on the 800-meter event, she prepares for the challenges of the upcoming indoor season.