Concept in Definition ABC

The word athlete comes from the Greek athletes and in turn from the term aethos, which means effort. Considering its etymological origin, an athlete is the one who competes with effort for a prize. Regardless of its etymology, an athlete is the one who practices some discipline of sport of Athletics.

In recent years, the word athlete has incorporated new meanings, such as runner or popular runner, two valid terms in the language colloquial but clearly inaccurate.

In Ancient Greece

Like many other activities, athletics arose in ancient times in the civilization Greek. The athlete was the participant in sports competitions that were held periodically: the Olympic Games, the Pythic Games or the Isthmian Games, among other competitions.

The main requirement to be recognized as an athlete was to be a Greek citizen with full rights and to pass some tests imposed by the judges of the organization. Likewise, the athlete had to prove a sufficient period of training and, finally, take an oath before the statue of Zeus before the competition.

The Greek athlete performed short and long distance races, launch discus and javelin and a jump similar to today's longitude, but he also competed in wrestling, boxing, and horse-drawn chariot racing. In the case of the Olympic champions, they were awarded a laurel wreath and, most importantly, they were considered national heroes.

In our days: An athlete, professional or amateur, is normally dedicated to a form of athletics within the group of running, jumping or throwing

The place where the competitions are held may vary, as some are held at air free on a 4oo meter track, others indoors on a smaller track and the cross is the only test that takes place in a space open different from the conventional track (for this reason in American English athletics is known as track and field, that is, track and countryside).

The professional athlete receives a remuneration due to his activity and normally dedicates himself to training exclusively to face the different competitions, while the amateur athlete exercises and competes for pure hobby and without receiving any money in exchange.

Cheating in athletics

In the ancient games of Greece there were already cases of cheats and when this happened the athletes were punished with a severe fine and with the money raised a statue was erected at the base of which was inscribed the name of the athlete offender. Cheating at that time was generally based on the bribery of other competitors and had no relation to the physical conditions of the athletes.

Currently the main trap that adulterates the competition is doping, the use of prohibited substances that enhances the vitality and performance of the athlete. If an athlete is doped, he introduces a variable that deteriorates his essence, since he becomes someone who competes with effort (and cheating) to get a prize.

Photos: Fotolia - Konstantin Yuganov / GraphicsRF