Are athletes masochists?

Question

or do they posess a talent which means that they don't feel the pain so much?

Answer 1

I would have to say, a bit.  All athlete regardless of talent has to work really hard for what they can do.  You do have to endure the pain to be the best.  The difference is, masochists like to feel pain for nothing else but the pain, athletes doesn't mind the pain to achieve a higher goal.

When it's 110 degrees with 100% humidity and you're out there in the sun, yea you'd have to be a bit of a m*******t.

Answer 2

When competing in an athletic contest, no matter what it is, real athletes are into the game and have their adrenaline flowing.  This enables them to brush the pain off pretty easily and continue playing hard.