 The word "athletic" is derived from the Greek word athlos, which means a contest for a prize.Athletics appear in some of the most famous examples of Greek and Roman epic poetry including Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", and Virgil's "Aeneid".In "Iliad" 22, Achilles is seeking to avenge the death of Patroclus by killing Hector, Patroclus' killer.