During her career, Flora Duffy competed 108 times, reached the podium an impressive 45 times, and stood on the highest step 27 times. The Bermudian athlete became world champion in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022, participated in no fewer than five Olympic Games and became Olympic Champion in Tokyo, took gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022, and won the Xterra World Championship six times. All of those staggering statistics are now coming to an end -vat least, their growth is – as Duffy announced her retirement and is stepping away from the sport.
That is not a huge surprise, as the iconic athlete had not been seen in competitive racing for quite some time. In 2025, she only competed in the T100 Singapore, where she did not finish. The year before, Duffy still finished fifth at the Paris Olympic Games and took third place at the T100 Las Vegas, which would ultimately turn out to be her final podium finish.
As I close this chapter of my life, I do so with a heart full of gratitude. Growing up in Bermuda with its pink sand beaches and turquoise waters, I fell in love with the sport of triathlon 30 years ago.
“From my first Olympic appearance in Beijing in 2008, through London and Rio, to winning gold in Tokyo, and my final Olympic appearance in Paris. Every stroke, pedal, and stride has been the privilege of a lifetime. Winning four World Triathlon titles, six Xterra World Championships, and two Commonwealth Games gold medals are achievements I could never have imagined as a young island girl. Dreams came true and more.”
During the final period of her career, Duffy frequently struggled with injuries. Ultimately, those injuries were the deciding factor in her decision to announce her retirement.
