Who is an athlete?
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RE: Who is an athlete? - 4/14/2008 8:27:27 AM
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HummerGuy
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Here is the official definition of an athlete:
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ath·lete Audio Help [ath-leet] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.
Agility, stamina or strenth.
Being a racing fan, I can tell you those guys are tougher then they look. Sitting in a car that is 110 to 125 degrees for hours isn't easy. It's very tough on your body and mind. Most race car drivers, especially Rally racing and NASCAR will tell you how physically exhausting it is. I don't think people realize that. They think it's like driving a car on the highway. Most race cars in any sport have limited to no power steering, which requires alot of physical work on your arms, and the G-force put on your body is also strong.
If you go based on the definition, then those are atheletes. Does car racing require agility? It does on your upper body, absolutely. How about stamina and strength? If you are weak, you are not going to be able to handle a machine going over mud, rock and dirt roads at 100 MPH (rally racing) or handle a Nascar averaging 200 MPH on a turn. It also says participating in a sport that requires physical skill
Now, physical skill doesn't not necessarily mean strength and muscle mass. Skill would dictate coordination. I am not a golf fan, but I like to bowl. I suck at golf, and I'm OK at bowling, but if there was no physical skill required, everybody would be great at it. Bowling is tough. You have to make your body move perfectly in proportion to how that ball is going to act. One little tiny step off, hand twist, etc and that ball is not going where you want it.
Anyway, if people judge being an athlete using only physical strength, then you can say I suppose some sports aren't athletic, but according to the official definition, it kinda shows that there's more then physical strength.
< Message edited by HummerGuy -- 4/14/2008 8:35:14 AM >
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RE: Who is an athlete? - 4/14/2008 8:31:30 AM
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big2dabank
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From: Clermont, Florida
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I would define an athelite as someone who has phyisical training and conditioning for any type of competition. I would say all listed in your post are athelites in some form. I could probably not get behind the wheel of a nascar and drive 500 miles in a circle without some type phyicial conditioning. I would probably pass out from holding the steering wheel that tight for so long. As for golf, you have to play golf for four straight days and not be completely exhausted and still be competive, I say that takes phyical training, cause I know I couldn't do it.I couldn't pick up the club after two rounds. Now that I think about, beer drinking takes an athelite, just look at the movie Beerfest, you have to be conditioned for it. 
Thats my 2 cents.
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05 H2 SUT, Desert Sand, Adventure Pkg, No Bling
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