Search
shop

Flora Duffy eyes the ultimate as she plots gold at Paris 2024

Olympic champion Dame Flora Duffy shares her thoughts ahead of the start of the 2023 season and reveals what keeps her motivated.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Dame Flora Duffy, the current Olympic, Commonwealth and World Champion, has been a dominant force in women’s short course triathlon for the best part of a decade.

Speaking to us recently after being named female athlete of the year at the Global Triathlon Awards, she’s set to defend her Olympic title in Paris in 18 months time.

Ahead of the start of the 2023 season, Duffy shared how her career has changed over the years and what keeps her motivated after spending so much time at the peak of her powers.

Advertisement

Sights set on Paris

At 35 years of age, Duffy has close to a decade of experience over some of her nearest rivals, such as American superstar Taylor Knibb.

Flora Duffy, Taylor Knibb, Beth Potter - WTCS Bermuda 2022

However, the Bermudian revealed that although she has accomplished everything she set out to do in short course triathlon over the past ten years, there is still one more win she has her sights set on.

She explained: “For me, it’s ultimately the Olympics that keeps me motivated. I would love to go back to Paris and try to repeat and have friends and family there to celebrate, ideally not under pandemic protocols.”

Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Duffy shared that she did enjoy the middle / long distance races she competed in during the 2022 season, which included a fifth place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, and is keen for more.

“I would like to have a little more success in the long course scene. I tried last year and really enjoyed it because it challenged me, it was hard, but I am really intrigued to see how well I can do and it pushed me to chase that further.”

With such great abilities across the board, seeing the Bermudian on some more IRONMAN 70.3 and PTO Tour start lines is definitely something fans will be eagerly anticipating after her title defence in Paris.

Attention to detail

Paris 2024 would be Duffy’s fifth Olympic Games, following appearances in Beijing, London, Rio and most recently Tokyo, and she explained that a lot has changed since her debut at the Games:

“As the years have gone by, it’s funny because I can look back to races and feel like I just turned up and hoped for the best. However now, in terms of preparation and attention to detail, it is so much more important, and my level of support and sponsorship and the team I have around me is completely different.”

As well as changing her approach to getting ready for races, Duffy added that the increase in level of support and the backing of a team around her has made a huge difference over the past few years.

“I used to go to these races alone, but now I can go with my coach or my husband and feel I have people there to support me at these races, which is really massive.”

Whilst Duffy admits that the changes outside of triathlon, in sponsorship and support, have been fundamental to her success, the simplicity of the sport remains the same:

“In some ways though, it feels like things haven’t changed. It is still swim, bike and run, but I’ve gone through the ranks and the years and I am now one of the oldest instead of one of the youngest”.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI-FIT VORTEX men's tri suit
Beyond marginal gains: A deep dive into the making of TRI-FIT’s most ambitious and advanced tri suit to date
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Alistair Brownlee bike penalty T100 Ibiza 2024 Photo credit PTO
PremiumWhat’s the most aero way to carry water on your triathlon bike?
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
Olympic champ says “story isn’t over” after surgery to remove Haglund’s deformity
Hayden Wilde New Plymouth 2023 photo credit Cameron Mackenzie / World Triathlon
Olympic and then world title on home soil for Hayden Wilde in 2028? It’s come a step closer…
Matt Hanson IRONMAN Cairns run 2025
American star on the costly lessons learned from THREE Ironmans in FIVE weeks
Sam Laidlow bike IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Laidlow and Skipper hail anti-drafting progress – but highlight bigger issues
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
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.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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...