Search
shop

After the tears and heartbreak, it’s gold for Flora Duffy in Tokyo

Flora Duffy admitted the pain and heartbreak had all been worthwhile after she claimed a fairytale Olympic triathlon win at Tokyo 2020.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Flora Duffy was understandably emotional after claiming a brilliant victory in the women’s triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games early on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old former two-time world champion delivered a perfect performance when it mattered to claim a first ever Olympic gold medal for Bermuda.

She was right up with the leading pack after the swim, stayed prominent during the bike leg and then produced a decisive move early in the run to surge clear to win by 74 seconds from Britain’s Georgia Taylor-Brown. America’s Katie Zaferes took bronze.

Advertisement

Dream come true for Duffy

Duffy told BBC Sport afterwards: “It’s definitely a lot of emotions to deal with. It’s slowly hitting me, and this has been my dream since I was eight years old.

“I grew up in Bermuda doing triathlon, and always wanted to be Olympic champion and this is Bermuda’s first gold medal and the first woman to do it.

“It’s an incredibly special moment. I feel like I crossed the line today, but I did it for everyone in Bermuda.”

Duffy, not surprisingly given her status in Bermuda, had to deal with huge pressure ahead of the Games. But she said the manner of her success meant she was able to enjoy an incredibly special moment.

Flora Duffy crosses the line to win the women's triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Flora Duffy admitted the pain and heartbreak had all been worthwhile after she claimed a fairytale Olympic triathlon win at Tokyo 2020.

“I’ve had an extra year to know that this pressure was on me. Although it was a difficult lead-in to manage and navigate all the pressure, but what a special moment to come down the finishing chute and just to enjoy it and have my moment. And yeah, it’s incredible.”

Duffy has suffered through the physical and mental torture that serious injury problems bring during recent years. But she said this victory made all of that pain worthwhile.

Many tears, many heartbreaks

“It was all worth it. There’s been many tears, many heartbreaks, many times I was like ‘am I ever gonna be healthy again, can I ever race at the top’.

“And I just kept believing, I have a really great support system around me, my coach is incredible.

“And so I just had to trust the process that I would be ready just in time.”

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...