adjective
BAD : A lot of athletic reporters write for the magazine.
GOOD : A lot of athletics reporters write for the magazine.
BAD : The race was organized by the National Athletic Association.
GOOD : The race was organized by the National Athletics Association.
◆◆◆
athletic = physically strong and good at running, jumping, etc: 'I've never been very athletic.'
athletics = sports such as running, jumping, and throwing the javelin: 'I've never been very good at athletics.'
The noun athletics (WITH -s ) is often used in front of another noun: 'He's been selected for the athletics team.'