A person who takes part in a game, pastime, or sport; (frequently) spec. a person who plays games for stakes, a gambler.

= athlete, n.

A person who (naturally or through training) has the traits required for proficiency in sports and other forms of physical exercise; one is…

transferred. A leader among athletes.

With the sense ‘carrying out an activity at or only at the weekend; (hence) doing something purely for pleasure, or in an amateur or casual way…

wearing thin clothes; also (U.S. colloquial) absol. as n., an athlete.

A competitor in the modern Olympic Games.