Abstract: A mechanical toy athlete built on a base has a hollow body portion comprising the torso of the athlete. A slidable plunger extends from within and out the top of the hollow body portion. The head of the athlete mounts on the top end of the plunger. Downward external pressure on the head moves the plunger from a rest position into which it is biased. A lever arm which represents either an arm or leg of the athlete, depending on the sport that the athlete "plays," mounts to the hollow body portion. The lever arm rotates relative to the hollow body portion in a fashion resembling the movement of the human limb which the lever arm represents and the lever arm is also biased into a rest position. The plunger, as it moves from its rest position, cooperates with the lever arm to rotate the lever arm from its rest position. When the leverarm rotates from its rest position, it propels a toy projectile, which represents the object that the athlete uses in the sport he "plays.