The Life of an Athlete
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Athletes usually begin competing in their sports while in elementary or middle school and continue through high school and sometimes college. They play in amateur tournaments and on high school and college teams, where the best attract the attention of professional scouts. Most schools require that participating athletes maintain specific academic standards to remain eligible to play. Becoming a professional athlete is the culmination of years of effort. Athletes who seek to compete professionally must have extraordinary talent, desire, and dedication to training.
Irregular work hours are the trademark of an athlete. Athletes often work Saturdays, Sundays, evenings, and even holidays. Athletes usually work more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports season, if not most of the year. Athletes who participate in competitions that are held outdoors may be exposed to all weather conditions of the season; those involved in events that are held indoors tend to work in climate-controlled comfort, often in arenas, enclosed stadiums, or gymnasiums. Athletes, frequently travel to sporting events by bus or airplane.