sportsperson

A sportsperson is a person who participates in sport, typically through training and competition, at any level from amateur to professional. The term is gender-neutral and can refer to anyone who engages in organized sporting activity, including athletes, players, and competitors across individual and team disciplines.

The concept encompasses a wide range of activities, from endurance events such as running and swimming to ball games, racket sports, combat sports, and beyond. Sportspersons follow rules set by governing bodies, train to improve performance, manage injuries, and strive for fair play, often aiming for advancement through clubs, national teams, or professional leagues.

In media and everyday use, sportsperson is a general label, though more specific terms like athlete or player are common. The term emphasizes participation and contribution to sport rather than a particular role or position. It is used to describe individuals across diverse sports and levels of achievement.

Ethics and issues relevant to sportspersons include maintaining safety and welfare, preventing doping and corruption, preserving amateur participation where relevant, and promoting equitable access to training and competition. The career of a sportsperson can involve early specialization, long training hours, risk of injury, and opportunities for recognition through championships, records, and awards.