This is the definition you keep quoting
"a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina"
Where in there does it say that the exercises requiring physical strength, agility or stamina have to be exhibited in a competition? Bodybuilders are in fact skilled in exercises that requires physical strength and stamina, so by your own definition, that would make them athletes.
So, based on your judgement, would you say fitness competitors are athletes? They are judged partly on a routine that requires skill, strength and stamina and partly on how they look on stage.
Personally, I don't think anyone can make this judgement unless you've personally been through a contest prep and gotten on stage yourself.....after you do a contest prep and compete, then come back and let us know your opinion.
"The definition I keep quoting" LOL right bro. its the WEBSTER DICTIONARY DEFINITION. Its not "MY" definition its what we as an educated society(at least some of us) have deemed as an absolute value on what a word means. If you disagree then perhaps you should petition Webster.
UNtil then this is how an ATHLETE is DEFINED>
Main Entry: ath·lete
Pronunciation: 'ath-"lEt, ÷'a-th&-"lEt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlEtEs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
YES Fitness competitors ARE Athletes, I explained in the post below.
YES I have done a show before and it was very brutal and alot of suffering but how does alot of SUFFERING make me an athlete?