Athletes winning in second team? (7-2)
I believe the answer is:
runners-up
'athletes winning in second team?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'athletes winning' is the wordplay.
'athletes' becomes 'runners' (runner is a kind of athlete).
'winning' becomes 'up' (eg being up at half time in football).
'runners'+'up'='RUNNERS-UP'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for runners-up that I've seen before include "Those in second place" , "Those who come second" , "Those finishing second" , "Silver medallists" , "Near winners" .)