Young Flora Duffy was not the fastest runner, her former PE teacher revealed yesterday.

But Mark Thorne, head of physical education at Warwick Academy, said the teenage athlete was dedicated and focused — although he admitted he never dreamt she was a potential world-beater.

Mr Thorne said: “She was tenacious, she was destroying people in cross- country runs, she was on the swim team.”

He added: “She didn’t have a lot of speed, so early in her career we had to tell her she had to break them before the finish because the track people would use their speed. I didn’t expect her to be a world champion, but I figured she would go far and to see her do this well is absolutely awesome.”

He was speaking as “Flora fever” broke out at Warwick Academy, the former school of Duffy, who won Commonwealth gold in the triathlon in Australia last month, and Clarance Saunders, who took the top spot on the Commonwealth podium and Bermuda’s first gold medal in the competition in New Zealand 28 years earlier.

Mr Thorne said Duffy has been an inspiration to pupils at the school and showed them what they could accomplish.

He added: “The students are blown away. Someone made a joke online recently that all the parents are going to be upset because all the kids are going to want to be triathletes, which means getting up at 6am and going to Clearwater Beach.”

Mr Thorne said: “Through her story we can say it’s not easy. She has spoken about the ups and downs, about how she almost gave up but got back on track and persevered.”

Shelly Grace, health teacher at the school, added that both Duffy and Saunders seemed poised for success.

Ms Grace said: “Flora was a very enthusiastic student. She was always very determined. She was very determined to be an athlete and focused on her athleticism.

“I remember going on a Washington trip and hearing her tell someone she was going to be in the Olympics — she was 14.”

Ms Grace did not teach Saunders, but he would often take part and help in her health classes.

Ms Grace said: “He was involved in everything at the school. He always had the smile and attitude that he has today.

“He was participating quite heavily at the time and was doing very well.

“I don’t think I ever thought either he or Flora would be world champions because you never think someone is going to be a world champion, but I did know that they would both be successful in their field.”

Warwick pupils agreed Duffy’s success was a huge encouragement to excel.

Swimmer Jesse Washington, 18, said: “She’s amazing. She’s an inspiration not only to the junior athletes but to everyone.

“She shows how we can achieve even if we come from a small island.”

Adriana Argent, 11, tested her skills at the duathlon for youngsters the day before Duffy’s race.

She said: “After I watched her, I wanted to do a triathlon even more.

“I’m on the swim team and I do a lot of running, so it means I have to do more biking.”

Katya Williamson, 12, added: “I like how she smiles when she’s running and biking.

“She has inspired me to do more swimming and she has helped teach us that we have to really believe in ourselves.”

Warwick Academy primary pupils backed their older schoolmates.

Mila Medeiros said: “I think she helps people believe in themselves and follow their dreams.”

Kiara Crockwell added: “She’s good at what she does. She’s an inspiration.”

Nina Guishard said: “I think she inspires a lot of people.

“I hope to be like her one day because she does what I want to do.”