This word is acceptable for play in the US & UK dictionaries that are being used in the following games:

• Lexulous
• Wordscraper
• Wordosaur

n. A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

n. A participant in a group of sporting activities which includes track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking.

n. A person who actively participates in physical sports, possibly highly skilled in sports. (Known in British English as a "sportsperson".)

n. An exceptionally physically fit person.

n. One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancient Greece or Rome.

n. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.

n. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests.

n. In Greek antiquity, one who contended for a prize in the public games.

n. Hence—2. Any one trained to exercises of agility and strength; one accomplished in athletics; a man full of strength and activity.

n. a person trained to compete in sports

"The screen cuts from a routine to a clip of a sportscaster interviewing the jump roper, using the word athlete to describe him."

weakling   

contestant   

hurdler    Fosbury    james francis thorpe    james cleveland owens    amateur    substitute    lifter    pole jumper    pentathlete    ballplayer   

champion    boxer    fighter    pancratiast    acrobat    sportsperson   

musician    journalist    scientist    performer    player    fighter    actor    dancer    diplomat    politician