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選ぶ means 'to choose' and 手 means 'hand' or by extension 'ability'. I don't see
how this can yield 'athlete'. Is 選 ateji?
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2019-01-29T07:03:23.603
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2019-01-29T07:17:45.113
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etymology
What is the etymology of 選手 (senshu)?
A dictionary definition of 選手 is

> スポーツで選{えら}ばれて競技{きょうぎ}に出場{しゅつじょう}する人
>
> A person chosen to appear in a sports competition

So, 選 expresses 選ばれる, and 手 expresses the person in question.

You noted that 手 means "hand," and by extension "ability," but it's also, by
even further extension, the person who possesses that ability.

You can see this in words like 運転手{うんてんしゅ} (driver) and 歌手{かしゅ} (singer) as
well.
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2019-01-29T07:11:24.540
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2019-01-29T07:17:45.113
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
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