By ______ of their athletic activities, a few sportsmen escape pressures that living in ______ can create.

By ______ of their athletic activities, a few sportsmen escape pressures that living in ______ can create.

Explanation

"By virtue of" means "because of" or "due to," correctly attributing their escape from pressures to their athletic skills.

"Poverty" contrasts logically with the privileges gained through sports, highlighting how athletics can provide an escape from socioeconomic struggles.