Reigning Olympic triathlon champion Flora Duffy is out of this week’s Paris Test Event as she continues her recovery from a knee injury.

It had been hoped that the Bermudian superstar would be ready to return after rehab from the tearing in her patella tendon, which had first been discovered last year.

Flora, who has yet to race in 2023, had said in May: “I don’t really want to push myself to get back because my big goal is next year, Paris 2024 at the Olympics. And so, as frustrating as this is, I have to keep that in mind. And for everyone else out there struggling through an injury, I know what it’s like. It’s so annoying and you feel like you’re making no progress.

Flora Duffy on knee injury

“But yeah, I’m just trying to stay as focused as I can and do my rehab and be very patient with my training, which is really hard for me to do.”

Fast forward to this week, and hopes were high that Duffy would be on course when she arrived in the French capital and was included on the start list by World Triathlon.

On Wednesday though, after that bike familiarisation, she revealed she would not be taking part.

Writing in an Instagram post, she said: “Not quite ready yet to race so unfortunately I have pulled out of the Paris test event. Very frustrating. However, it was great to see the venue, ride and swim the course. It is all amazing!”