The German athletics team is experiencing a crisis at the Olympics following the removal of a relay runner who expressed dissatisfaction over being dropped from the mixed 4×400 meters relay team.
Luna Bulmahn was outraged after being replaced by Alica Schmidt, who has previously been labeled ‘the world’s sexiest athlete.’
However, the German team struggled in the 4x400m mixed relay and failed to advance, finishing in seventh place in their heat.
Bulmahn took to Instagram to voice her frustration, stating: ‘Yes, I am the second-fastest 400-meter runner on paper. No, I was not selected for the mixed relay.’
Her outbursts resulted in the German Athletics Association (DLV) taking her off the women’s 4x400m relay team for Paris as well.
Alica Schmidt (left) was chosen to compete in the mixed 4x400m relay instead of Luna Bulmahn (right)
Bulmahn was eager to run alongside her boyfriend Jean Paul Bredau (left) at the Olympics
Jean Paul Bredau, Bulmahn’s boyfriend and a member of the team, also criticized the decision and implied that her exclusion impacted his performance.
He expressed: ‘Things didn’t work out perfectly beforehand, which is why I lacked energy. A few decisions were made that not everyone agreed with. The DLV made it clear that only the fastest four should run, but a different choice was made.’
The DLV confirmed that Bulmahn was not under consideration for selection, while Bredau was permitted to participate in the 400m first round after he retracted his comments.
In their statement, the DLV noted: ‘The line-up was designed for a successful mixed relay team, decided unanimously by the DLV coaching staff and communicated to the athletes.
‘With a time of 3:15.63 minutes, the German mixed relay team was eliminated in the preliminary round on Friday, finishing in seventh place.
‘Jean Paul Bredau has apologized and will race in the individual 400m event on Sunday evening. Luna Bulmahn will not participate in the relay in Paris.
‘Relays are a team sport; athletes and coaches comprise the team. Success is reliant on effective collaboration and mutual trust.’
Bredau placed fourth in his 400m heat but did not advance to the semi-finals.
The couple only revealed their relationship earlier this summer when Bulmahn kissed Bredau after his bronze-winning performance in the men’s 4x400m relay at the European Championships in Rome.
Schmidt has been called ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ leading up to the Paris Games
Australian magazine ‘Busted Coverage’ awarded her the title of ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ in 2017
Last week, she shared on Instagram: ‘Our Olympic adventure is about to commence soon.
‘I’m excited for you to step onto the world’s biggest stage and do what you love, my dear.’
Schmidt, aged 25, is expected to compete in the women’s 4x400m team when the first round takes place on Friday.
This isn’t her first Olympic appearance; in 2021, she was selected for the 4x400m relay team for Germany, but served only as a substitute and didn’t compete as the team finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal.
Since joining the squad, she was part of the German team that placed fifth in the finals of the 4x400m relay at the 2022 European Athletics Championships, and she will now have a chance to win an Olympic medal.
When the Australian magazine ‘Busted Coverage’ referred to her as ‘the world’s sexiest athlete’ in 2017, Schmidt experienced a significant boost in social media followers. She now has over 5 million followers on Instagram.
Addressing the controversy, Schmidt remarked: ‘There were some disagreements beforehand. It is important to remember that we are a team. We need to stand united.
‘We should trust the decisions made by our coaches and be mentally prepared accordingly.’
‘Everyone has dedicated three years to this. If you’re here but not fully on board with the relay team, I find that challenging.’
