Alica Schmidt, a specialist in the 400m and renowned for her athleticism, has announced her transition to the 800m category for the upcoming season. This shift, which she shared on Instagram, is a step towards exploring new challenges in her athletic career. Schmidt plans to undertake high-altitude training to prepare for the demands of middle-distance running, signaling her serious intent to excel in the new discipline.
However, her decision has sparked mixed reactions. On the Ready Set Go podcast, track and field figures Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green weighed in, with Green expressing skepticism. He acknowledged Schmidt’s talent but questioned her readiness to compete against elite 800m runners like Keely Hodgkinson, Mary Moraa, and Athing Mu, who consistently post world-class times in the range of 1:54 to 1:56. Green argued that transitioning to the 800m without having dominated the 400m is a questionable strategy, emphasizing the significantly different physical and tactical demands of middle-distance racing.
While Green admitted that Schmidt’s endurance might give her an edge, he maintained that the competition in the 800m is fierce, making success a daunting challenge. He also cautioned against making such a transition without a clear competitive advantage, suggesting that Schmidt should focus on mastering her current discipline.
Despite these critiques, Schmidt’s commitment to this new challenge demonstrates her ambition and willingness to push her limits. The track world will closely watch her progress in the 800m to see if her decision to embrace this transition pays off.