atleta

Atleta is a noun used in several Romance languages to designate a person who competes in sports or athletic activities. In Spanish and Portuguese, the term refers to someone who trains and competes, whether as a professional or as an amateur. In Italian, the word has a similar meaning and refers to a person who participates in sport or competition; gender and number are shown by articles and plural forms. The spelling remains the same across these languages, while articles signal gender and plurality (for example, el/la atleta in Spanish; o/a atleta in Portuguese; gli atleti and le atlete in Italian).

Etymology: The word derives from Greek athlētēs, via Latin athleta, and is cognate with the English "athlete." The root relates to contest and competition in ancient athletic games.

Usage and scope: An atleta may specialize in any sport or discipline, from track and field to team sports, combat sports, or individual pursuits. The term is neutral regarding level of play, covering both amateur athletes and professional competitors. In sports media and institutions, it denotes individuals who train under a program, belong to clubs or teams, and participate in organized events such as championships or the Olympics.

See also: Athlete; Athletics; Sportspeople.