multiathlete

A multiathlete is an athlete who competes in more than one sport or discipline, either across different seasons or at different points in a career. The term is often used to describe competitors who achieve at a high level in two or more athletic domains, rather than specializing in a single sport.

Historically, many athletes trained across multiple sports, sometimes due to amateur-era norms or the breadth of opportunities available. In modern professional sports, specialization is common, but several athletes have achieved success in multiple codes, sometimes transitioning between sports at different stages of their careers or leveraging off-season training to maintain cross-discipline performance.

Common advantages cited for multi-sport participation include the transfer of athletic skills such as speed, strength, coordination, balance, and tactical understanding, which can enhance performance in each discipline. Challenges include scheduling conflicts between seasons, a higher risk of overuse injuries, and the need for extensive time management, recovery, and adaptation to different coaching styles.

Notable examples include Jim Thorpe, who excelled in football and track and field and won Olympic gold in the decathlon and pentathlon in 1912; Bo Jackson, who played in the NFL and MLB; Deion Sanders, who competed in both the NFL and MLB; and Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who achieved prominence in track and field and later golf. In winter sports, some athletes compete across disciplines such as cross-country skiing and biathlon, reflecting a broader tradition of multi-sport participation.