Athlete is the professional of sports (preferably athletic) and physical activities. The term began with those who practiced athletics.[1] Later it was extended to practitioners of struggle (in solemn games) in Ancient Greece and Rome. It can also mean a man or woman of solid build.

According to Krieger, (2007) “anyone who practices any form of sport, whether educational, participation or performance, can be classified as to the form of its practice, as amateur, non-professional and professional.” Even those who just run around the city streets in order to improve their physical shape and health are still, in the broadest sense of the word.

The amateur is the occasional practitioner, who does it just for pleasure, health or vanity, it is the runner or the weekend or afternoon cyclist who runs to keep in shape, or even the one who participates in marathons or other tournaments, without the intention of making a profit, but it can have the sporting spirit of pure competition. Amateur is someone who takes Pierre de Coubertin's ideal seriously, where the “important thing is not to win, but to participate”.

Non-professionals are those who practice some sport without receiving remuneration, but may receive material incentives or sponsorships.

The professional is the one who makes sport his means of livelihood, earning, in addition to the laurels of sporting glory, financial profit through his activity. In the most popular modalities, they make large amounts of money and end up becoming public figures.