Final answer:
Dehydration is the sports-related risk associated with thirst in athletes. It can cause negative effects on performance, health, and safety, including fatigue, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Staying hydrated is crucial for athletes to prevent dehydration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sports-related risk associated with thirst is dehydration. When an athlete becomes dehydrated, their body contains too little water to function correctly, which can have negative effects on their performance, health, and safety. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and in severe cases, heatstroke. It is essential for athletes to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids before, during, and after exercise.