athlète

An athlète is a person who participates in competitive sport that requires significant physical performance, such as strength, speed, endurance, or agility. In French, the term covers athletes across a wide range of disciplines, including track and field, team sports, combat sports, and endurance events. The word is commonly used for both amateur and professional sportspersons and is roughly equivalent to the English term athlete.

Etymology: The word derives from the Greek athlētēs meaning contestant or competitor in public games, which passed into Latin as athleta and into French as athlète and English as athlete. The historical sense emphasized competition in athletic games, but modern usage spans many sports.

Usage and training: Being an athlète typically involves structured training, coaching, nutrition, rest, and competition calendars. Development often begins in youth and may include specialization in a sport or multi-sport backgrounds before narrowing to a chosen field. Performance is influenced by technique, physical conditioning, psychology, and injury prevention and recovery.

Competition and recognition: Highest-level athletes compete in events such as national championships, world championships, and the Olympic Games or professional leagues. Careers vary by sport and can be short or extended by advances in training, sports medicine, and technology. Anti-doping policies and governance by international federations regulate eligibility and fair play.