This is the 6089th most frequent Russian word.
спортсменам
"спортсменам" means "to athletes" in English.
The word 'спортсменам' is in dative case, used here to indicate the indirect object of the invitation.
Мы предложили спортсменам участвовать в спортивных соревнованиях.
We invited the athletes to participate in the sports competitions.
Here, 'спортсменам' is also in dative case, representing the recipients of the awards.
Вчера на площади выделили награды спортсменам за их достижения.
Yesterday in the square, awards were given to the athletes for their achievements.
In this sentence, 'спортсменам' is in dative case, used to express to whom the attention is directed.