athlete

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀθλητής (athlētḗs), from ἀθλέω (athléō, “compete for a prize”), from ἆθλον (âthlon, “prize”) or ἆθλος (âthlos, “competition”).

noun

1. A participant in a group of sporting activities which includes track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking.
   Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent. 2013-03, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, archived from the original on 2013-05-16, page 134
   She's the first athlete in her sport to obtain a corporate sponsor.
2. (US, Canada) A person who actively participates in physical sports, especially with great skill; a sportsperson.
3. An exceptionally physically fit person.