Originally Posted by BigAura

A person who is very good at several sports or who excels at single sport is an athlete.

Originally Posted by bruce19

I don't think you have to be "very good" at several sports or excel at a single sport to be an athlete. I think it has something to do with a commitment to consistent activity within the realm of sport. It's not the level of accomplishment but the pursuit that gets you there. In my mind sport would not include things like chess or online gaming.