Final answer:
The statement that Canada's first definition of 'amateur' was synonymous with 'gentlemen' is false. The term 'amateur' historically referred to someone who participates in a sport without financial compensation, not specifically to their social status or being a 'gentleman'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Canada's first definition of an 'amateur' as 'gentlemen' is false. Historically, the concept of amateurism in sports often related to individuals who did not receive payment for their athletic participation. This was not directly tied to social status or gender. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term 'amateur' was often associated with those who participated for the love of the sport rather than for financial gain, contrasting with professionals.
While class distinctions did play a role in the definition, and 'gentlemen' may have been the predominant participants in amateur sport due to leisure time and financial stability, the actual definition of amateur was not synonymous with 'gentlemen'.