Chicago Tribune

Joe Rau smiles while working out with the Northwestern wrestling team on campus on April 30, 2024, in Evanston. Rau recently qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris Games after coming close in 2016 and 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Joe Rau, left, demonstrates technique with Dirk Morley while working out with the Northwestern wrestling team on campus on April 30, 2024, in Evanston. Rau recently qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris Games after coming close in 2016 and 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Joe Rau gives instruction on his technique while working out with the Northwestern wrestling team on campus on April 30, 2024, in Evanston. Rau recently qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris Games after coming close in 2016 and 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Joe Rau works out with the Northwestern wrestling team on campus on April 30, 2024, in Evanston. Rau recently qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris Games after coming close in 2016 and 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Joe Rau gives instruction on his technique while working out with the Northwestern wrestling team on campus on April 30, 2024, in Evanston. Rau recently qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris Games after coming close in 2016 and 2021. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Olympic hopeful Joe Rau practices wrestling moves as his then-girlfriend, wife Astrid De Leeuw, times his increments while working out on March 22, 2020 near his home in Des Plaines. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Olympic hopeful wrestler Joe Rau bakes a chocolate marble cake at home with his girlfriend, Astrid De Leeuw, on March 19, 2020 in Des Plaines. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Olympic hopeful wrestler Josef Rau goes for a run with his girlfriend, Astrid De Leeuw, on March 22, 2020 near his home in Des Plaines. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Joe Rau celebrates on April 10, 2016, as he's honored with other winners of the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Joe Rau wears Chicago flag socks for competition on April 9, 2016, during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Joe Rau, top center, celebrates on April 10, 2016 as he's honored with other winners of the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Joe Rau (left) hugs a coach after winning the 98 kg Greco-Roman championship on April 9, 2016, during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Josef Rau (left) on his way to winning the 98 kg Greco-Roman championship against Caylor Williams on April 9, 2016, during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Joe Rau (left) on his way to winning the 98 kg Greco-Roman championship on April 9, 2016 during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Josef Rau (left) on his way to winning the 98 kg Greco-Roman championship on April 9, 2016, during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago native Joe Rau (left) on his way to winning the 98 kg Greco-Roman championship against Caylor Williams on April 9, 2016, during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)