Bermuda’s top triathlete delivered an aspirational message during a surprise visit to a middle school yesterday.

Flora Duffy dropped in at Dellwood Middle School to speak with pupils at the public school as part of morning assembly.

Tina Duke, the Dellwood principal, said the visit was “awesome”.

Ms Duke added that pupils were called to assembly as usual and were shown a video presentation about MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda.

But she said the pupils started screaming with delight when Duffy was introduced. Ms Duke added: “I got goosebumps.”

She said the school, which has several aspiring athletes, had always made a point of celebrating the accomplishments of Bermudians in sport.

Ms Duke added: “We always use her as the model.”

Duffy, a two-times world triathlon and Commonwealth Games champion, discussed the highs and lows of her career as a top-tier triathlete, the injury that kept her out of WTS Bermuda held at the weekend and her Olympic ambitions.

She also talked about the importance of hard work and commitment.

Ms Duke said that Duffy exemplified to pupils what Bermudians could accomplish.

She added Duffy’s message was: “Don’t ever think that just because you are in Bermuda that you can’t make it to the world stage.

“If you put the work in and you try hard, you can definitely make it to the world stage in whatever it is you choose to do. That hit home with quite a few students.”

Duffy arrived to the school in a Renault Twizy electric minicar with custom designed livery.

Kenya Smith-Woodley, a Dellwood pupil, designed the vehicle, which features a hibiscus design and the word Flora.

Ms Duke said that Kenya was “tickled pink” to be thanked by Duffy during her speech to pupils.

The event was organised through a partnership between the school and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.