PEARSON Morgan

General
TRANSITION TO TRIATHLON
He transitioned from athletics to triathlon while studying at the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States of America, and says adapting to cycling was the most challenging aspect. "I always say I rode bikes around town growing up, but I never did a bike race or raced a road bike. It's like a peloton, it's like a pro tour cycling race in terms of the dynamics of the pack. To go from never doing that to being in a pack with 20 to 30 guys that are all inches away from each other, and moving at 25 to 30 miles an hour is crazy." He says the change to elite-level triathlon happened quickly. "It was such a fast transition because compared to a lot of other runners that are trying to do it, I came up pretty fast. My first race was a World Cup but I got seventh. It was pretty crazy and showed me I had the potential, but it's been hard. I've dedicated my life to it and I don't love using the word sacrifice, but it's been a grind." (pac-12.com, 03 Jun 2021)

SIBLING TRIBUTE
His older brother Andrew passed away in March 2021. He says Andrew had an important role in his sporting career. "I couldn't stop thinking of all the ways that my older brother influenced where and who I am today. Andrew was the reason I stuck with swimming for so many years, and the reason I started running cross-country at Delbarton [School in Morristown, NJ, United States of America]. Some of my favourite memories are of us racing together and I've probably never had more fun than goofing off at junior lifeguards with him. Andrew, you were always one of the best guys on the cross-country team, swim team, or lifeguards squad yet you always were having the most fun. I always looked up to that. From the outside most people probably think I'm super serious, but if they know me well they've seen that goofy side and that's always been you shining through." (nbcolympics.com, 15 May 2021)

COLLEGE SWITCH
He studied at Duke University in Durham, NC, United States of America for one year before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder. (triathlon.org, 06 Jun 2021)