Answer:
Yes but also kind of no
Explanation:
So lets explain Ahem... In the current times of the world, Athetes are veiwed as people who just... do sports and this earns them money. But in anceint (or classical) Greece Athletes were veiwed the same with some exceptions such as in ancient Greece athletes not only did sport for money but also for status, training, and represent their city. Thusforth they were held slightly higher then than now and as a fina reason why they used sport as a way to "a way of communicating that brings a great sense of connection between people." or too raise the spirit of the people which means they were held higher as figures of "happyness"