'World's Sexiest Athlete' Alica Schmidt Turned Down Six-Figure Deal Because She Couldn't Get '100% Behind It'

German runner Alica Schmidt, dubbed the "World's Sexiest Athlete," can't be bought and sold.  That's the message she's sending to well-known brands looking to ink her to a big-time endorsement deal.

If she's not feeling it, she's not signing on the dotted line, no matter how big of a payday is waiting for her.  This despite the fact that there isn't a ton of money in track and field.

Alica Schmidt of Team Germany reacts prior to Heat 2 of the 4x400m Relay Mixed during day one of the World Athletics Championships Budapest in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Alica sees herself as an athlete first and not a model, despite multiple brand deals and a massive social media following.  She put her money where her mouth is recently.

She wasn't "100 percent behind" a well-paying endorsement deal from a well-known company and, as a result, she ended up turning it down.

"Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand.  But I wasn't 100 percent behind it," the 25-year-old track star revealed.  "I don't feel comfortable with that.  That would have been in the mid to high six figures for a campaign."

Alica has been vocal about the challenges athletes in her sport face when it comes to generating enough money to live on.  Often they have to rely on other means of supporting themselves other than money made competing.

Alica Schmidt Isn't Giving Just Any Brand The World's Sexiest Athlete's Stamp Of Approval

"In principle, I have to say that it is not easy for most German track and field athletes to make a living from sport," Alica said of making a living on the track.

"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."

She, of course, is able to make some money off of her large social media following, but that doesn't mean she needs to hop on an endless treadmill of endorsement deals.  

There's something to be said about being able to turn down a six-figure payday because you're not all in on the brand.  Some call it crazy, but I keep thinking back to those sad Copper Fit commercials.

None of those guys believed that the product worked, and they were all going through the motions for an easy check.  Nobody wants to see that happen to the World's Sexiest Athlete.