It's closely related to the Greek word "athlos," which also means "contest" or "struggle." This root appears in many English words, including:
* Athlete: A person trained to compete in sports.
* Athletic: Relating to sports, especially those requiring physical strength and skill.
* Pentathlon: A sporting competition consisting of five events.
* Marathon: A long-distance race, named after the Greek battle of Marathon.
* Athonite: A monk living on Mount Athos, a monastic community in Greece.
The meaning of "contest" or "struggle" is evident in the context of athletic competitions, while the meaning of "prize" is reflected in the idea of striving for victory or recognition.