From
Merriam-Webster Search for iPhone
Main Entry: ath·lete
Pronunciation: \ˈath-ˌlēt, ÷ˈa-thə-ˌlēt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest
Date: 15th century
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
Also ...
are race car drivers athletes - Google Search
You get quite a debate on the subject, including the comments from Ronald McNabb :right:
You have to have some athleticism when piloting a race car on a track. A lot more than someone like me, who can drive 500 miles daily ...
It's not like these guy are driving around with one finger on the steering wheel & the other resting on the gear shifter (that's what I do
).
These guys (and gals) are strapped into a 3000lbs car that can go 200 MPH. Most tracks are bumpy & toss the car around worse than an Indiana interstate ...
G-forces push a driver right (or right & left on a road course).
Can anyone do it? I'm sure most people can at lower speeds, but very few can do it at the speeds they do it at. For hours at a time.
Even the most out of shape NASCAR driver (Tony Stewart), has to be athletic to a point.
Danica Patrick might not be the strongest driver, and the cars might be easier to drive than cars they raced 30 years ago, but even she needs to be athletic to race in NASCAR