Athletes

(ath´lēts; Gr. athlētai , from athlos , a contest, athlon , a prize), originally, in ancient 296 Greece, combatants who took part and contended for a prize ( athlon ) in the public games. The profe ion was an honourable one; tests of birth, position, and character were imposed, and crowns, statues, special privileges, and pensions were among the rewards of succe . (See Games .) The word is used in a similar sense at the present day, but is more especially applied to persons who can exhibit feats of strength. Games and athletic competitions, if they do not hold such an honourable position to-day as they did in antiquity, are still practised with great enthusiasm and excite the keenest interest in their patrons.