Search
shop

Flora Duffy OUT of IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga due to COVID

Olympic champ will miss Sunday's race in Tennessee
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Another big race and another big-name absentee with the sad news that Flora Duffy will miss IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga on Sunday.

Duffy carried all before her in short-course combat in 2021, claiming Olympic gold in Tokyo and a WTCS title. Seeing her step up to middle distance is an intriguing thought, with a possible shot at the IRONMAN 70.3 World title on the horizon in October.

The road to St George in five months’ time though hit a bump in the road on Saturday when Duffy was forced to give up on her bid to race in Chattanooga after testing positive for COVID.

Race over, before it started

Writing in an Instagram post, she said: “Well my race is over before it even started. Have been feeling slightly under the weather the last couple of days and decided I should do a Covid test to rule that out. Two positive tests later… Really sad. I was looking forward to racing over the 70.3 distance. I’ve put so much work into the TT bike in recent months. The road to St George just became a little tougher!”

If there is an upside here, it’s that Flora says her symptoms so far are not particularly worrying. We hope that continues to be the case.

Duffy symptoms are mild

“She revealed: “I am doing ok. My symptoms are mild but my team and I decided it was not worth risking medium / long term affects.

“Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow. I did enjoy the small pre ride on the course yesterday – a fun rolling ride! Next time Chattanooga.”

Duffy’s withdrawal is further evidence of the toll COVID continues to take on elite triathlon.

That recent IRONMAN World Championship in St George saw a host of big names forced out before race day, with Laura Philipp, Joe Skipper and Javier Gomez all being ruled out after contracting COVID.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...