Sportsperson

Athlete ( altgr.: ἀθλητής respectively neugr. Αθλητής Athletes, Latin: Athleta = " athlete " ) denotes the one hand an athlete and competitor, on the other hand a strong man with a strong physique and developed muscle.

In ancient times, the athlete was a competitor who at the gymnastic games (see: gymnastics) participated. In the 5th century BC, the fighting game with the Greeks more and more of a profession and the athleticism into a skill, their learning and execution required a special way of life and was bound to special rules was.

In ancient Rome the first hired in Greece, athletes were 186 BC on. During the Roman Empire, the athletes were organized into professional associations ( guilds ), which existed in almost all major cities of the empire. In Rome itself athletes competitions became more popular.

The athletes of today are mostly professional athletes with special lifestyle and training methods. They are supported by an extensive support staff, which may include trainers, masseurs, technical assistants and psychologists.