>yeah well I hear conventional sports fan say the same thing about professional player sports these days (ya know, the types who adamantly watch college stuff). And look at pro wrestling... thats far from what some would consider a sport yet wrestlers are considered athletes.

I don't follow wrestling, but Pro-wrestlers are athletes; just look at what they're able to do without the aid of machines. MOST of them are former athletes of other sports.

If a pit crew claimed to be "athlete" I would reluctantly accept it. However, if they turned the nut and bolts by hand w/o the power tools they use and lift cars w/o hydrolics jacks, that would be something. "LOL"

Again, auto racing is a sport but.... :)