Perhaps discussed before, however this philosophical topic seems to cycle around campfires and more than a few other places. There are two questions usually related in this;
Is hiking an activity or a sport?
Are hikers athletes?
Hiking as a term is pretty casually used, from describing quarter to half mile walks to see a popular feature like a waterfall and to through hiking the AT.
Though I have opinions on this, I'd be interested in what thoughts about this are bouncing around.