Sportsman depicted as Roman (7)
I believe the answer is:
oarsman
'sportsman' is the definition.
'depicted as roman' is the wordplay.
'depicted' is an anagram indicator (letters presented or depicted in a new form).
'as'+'roman'='asroman'
'asroman' with letters rearranged gives 'OARSMAN'.
(Other definitions for oarsman that I've seen before include "Member of rowing crew" , "Craft worker" , "It's bordered by Libya and France" , "A male small boat propeller" , "Male rower" .)