SportsJuly 16, 2026

sprinter

/ˈsprɪntər/

Definition

An athlete who specializes in running short distances at very high speed.

Etymology

The word derives from the verb 'sprint,' likely of Scandinavian origin, combined with the suffix '-er' which denotes a person who performs a specific action. It entered English usage to describe a runner who moves at full speed for a short duration.

In the news

The article mentions a Kenyan para athlete as a 'sprinter' to illustrate how individuals from the continent are breaking barriers in various sports categories.

Here’s what this World Cup says about football in Africa

Read the full article ↗

DW.com

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