U.S. Olympic triathlete Morgan Pearson set his sights on a triumphant performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, hoping for a more celebratory experience compared to the pandemic-affected Tokyo Games. Pearson, who made his Olympic debut in Tokyo, anticipated a vibrant and festive atmosphere in Paris, contrasting the isolation and restrictions he faced in Japan.

“I hope it’s a really cool Olympics,” Pearson told uInterview in May. “In Tokyo, there were no fans, and we were confined to the athlete village and race venues with no opportunity to experience the city or interact with the public. I’m looking forward to Paris being more of a celebration of the world coming together.”

Pearson’s journey to the Olympics began relatively late compared to many of his peers. A former collegiate runner and high school swimmer, Pearson turned to triathlon in 2018, viewing it as his pathway to Olympic success. “Growing up,...