atleta

1. strongman; athletic man
   Njen brat je pravi atleta, stalno je u teretani. — Her brother is a real strongman, he's always at the gym.
2. athlete
   Najbolje atlete sveta dolaze na ovo takmičenje. — The world's best athletes come to this competition.
3. (in antiquity) athlete; competitor in ancient games
   Atleta je na olimpijskim igrama dobijao maslinov venac. — At the Olympic Games an athlete received an olive wreath.

A track-and-field athlete is usually called atletičar.