• Children often look up to athletes.hurdles for athletics image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
  
  

They Should Not

• Athletes should not be considered role models, according to The Daily Barometer. A role model should be someone close to you, whose behavior you can model and admire. Athletes should not be considered worthy of admiration simply because they are famous and have athletic talent.
  
  

They Have Admirable Qualities

• Athletes often have admirable qualities that may qualify them as a role model. The physical fitness required to be an athlete requires determination and discipline. Many athletes are involved in community service and other outreach programs. Professional athletes often are recruited from their college programs, meaning they are educated.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Athletes are celebrities and are not close enough to most people to be a good role model for them. People, especially children, should look to figures closer to them such as parents and teachers for role models. However, in situations where that is not possible, some athletes offer admirable qualities people can model.