Athletics

ALICA SCHMIDT was buzzing after meeting Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Berlin.The German capital hosted the European premiere of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die on Monday night.Alica Schmidt met Will Smith on Monday nightCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdThe German athlete got Smith to sign her jerseyCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdSchmidt, 25, poses for snaps with Smith and Martin LawrenceCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdSchmidt has five million Instagram followersCredit: alicasmd/InstagramSmith, 55, and Lawrence, 59, walked the blue carpet ahead of the screening.As they did so, they were greeted by an excited Schmidt.The popular German athlete, 25, wore a glamorous black dress as she headed to the event.When presented with the opportunity, Schmidt went bounding over to Smith and Lawrence to shake their hands.READ MORE ON ALICA SCHMIDTShe then asked them to sign her jersey, with the star duo gladly obliging.After the signing, the trio beamed as they posed for pictures.Posting a clip of the exchange, Schmidt wrote: “Not @willsmith and @martinlawrence signing my jersey. Can someone pinch me.”Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth flick in the popular franchise series.Most read in AthleticsIts world premiere took place in Dubai last Wednesday, and was attended by Smith’s estranged wife Jada.Schmidt, meanwhile, has qualified for this summer’s Paris Olympics.World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a monthShe will compete in the 4x400m relay for her country.Earlier this month Schmidt, who has five million Instagram followers, revealed that she turned down a huge sponsorship deal worth six figures despite making only £611 a month as a professional athlete.She said: “Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand. But I wasn’t 100 per cent behind it.“I didn’t feel comfortable with that. That would have been in the mid-to-high six figures for a campaign.“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 from 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.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSchmidt has previously modelled for Hugo Boss.In the role she rubbed shoulders with Anthony Joshua and Naomi Campbell at Milan Fashion Week in 2022.SEE MORE OF ALICA SCHMIDT’S GLAMOROUS LIFE…Schmidt is one of Germany’s top athletesCredit: GettyShe competes in track and field for her countryCredit: GettySchmidt was part of the relay squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games but didn’t competeCredit: ReutersSchmidt has acquired a cult following onlineShe has five million Instagram followersCredit: alicasmd/InstagramThe German is very particular about working with brands More

THE BEIJING half-marathon is mired in controversy after winner He Jie was allowed to cross the line in first place.The Chinese athlete won Sunday’s event ahead of Kenyan runners Willy Mnangat and Robert Keter, as well as Ethiopian Dejene Hailu.Chinese athlete He Jie was allowed to cross the line in first placeCredit: XOne of his competitors appeared to point to the finish line as they slowed downCredit: XBut the African trio slowed down and began to usher Jie towards the finish line in the final few hundred metres.Mnangat later admitted to the South China Morning Post that he let Jie win the race “because he is my friend”.An investigation has been launched into the race by The Beijing Sports Bureau, the body in charge of sports.Fans have questioned the authenticity of the race after a video of the finish was shared on social media.READ MORE IN SPORTOne reacted saying: “What’s going on here?”Another added: “They must have been paid well. So embarrassing. They should be disqualified.”A third wrote: “Odd indeed.”And another commented: “You can clearly see they put in more effort letting him win than they’d have put in winning it.”Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERJie crossed the line in a time of 1:03:44 , with his three competitors crossing the line just behind him.The 25-year-old is China’s national marathon record holder and won the Asian Games marathon in October 2023.Sir Jim Ratcliffe, 71, needs a PB in London Marathon if he’s to make Man Utd’s FA Cup semi-final after kick-off switch More

A JAMAICAN wonderkid has broken Usain Bolt’s Under-17 400metre record.Eight-time Olympian champion Bolt set the record 22 years ago – long before he became a sprinting sensation.Nickecoy Bramwell has broken Usain Bolt’s Under-17 400m recordCredit: YouTube/SportsMaxTVBolt held the record for 22 yearsCredit: AFPThe legend set a time of 47.33 seconds which has now been beaten by his compatriot, Nickecoy Bramwell.The 16-year-old was competing at the 51st Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada.And despite being plagued by a number of injury niggles, he broke Bolt’s record by running 47.26 seconds.Bramwell was significantly clear of second place Kemron Mathlyn who produced a time of 47.96, while Eagan Neely in third came in at 48.16.READ MORE IN SPORTThe prodigy said after defending his title: “It’s a wonderful feeling to break the record.“Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record, so it’s a great feeling I could come out here and get it.””I just took my mind off it and focused on the record.”Fans were blown away by Bramwell’s performance with one saying: “Serious achievement!!”Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnother added: “Yes!!! Glad another Jamaican is carrying on the baton. We are a force to be reckoned with.”A third wrote: “And he slowed up before the finish line. Imagine him run straight through.”And another commented: “Wow just Wow 🔥🔥”I’m retired swimmer looking to break world record by ‘juicing myself to the gills’ with banned drugs More