The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PACEMAKER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
A
C
E
M
A
K
E
R
More clues leading to the result PACEMAKER
- It revitalises heart with due deference to God
- Negotiator to miss final lecture by leading athlete
- Priest, at one with God, is leader by example, perhaps
- One runs off quickly – it affects the heartbeat
- He leads with a horse in form – just the opposite
- Creator of law for police that keeps one on the beat?
- Leading figure in a field offering hearty support?
- Person making the running in UN, say, last of three shunned
- 14 Medical equipment shows what a fast bowler has to produce
- Implant that leads the field
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "leading athlete" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case leading athlete = pacemaker.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PACEMAKER mean?
PACEMAKER noun- One who sets the pace in a race, to guide the others.
- A set of nerves which stimulate the heart to beat.
- (hence) A medical implement that is used to stimulate a heart to beat by simulating the action of the natural pacemaker.